Surgical Technologists
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
How to read this profile
BLS projects U.S. employment for Surgical Technologists to increase by 5.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 118,400 to 124,300 jobs. Its estimate of 7,100 annual openings includes replacement needs, so it does not represent current vacancies, contract postings, or freelance demand. The wage ($64,650), education (Postsecondary nondegree award), and related experience (None) figures on this profile describe typical U.S. employees. O*NET skills describe the occupation; they do not assess an individual worker's proficiency.
Base employment (2024)
118,400
Projected employment (2034)
124,300
Projected change (2024–2034)
5%
Annual openings (projected average)
7,100
Pay & Preparation
$64,650
Postsecondary nondegree award
None
None
Essential Skills
Monitoring (3.62/5) • Active Listening (3.25/5) • Operations Monitoring (3.25/5) • Reading Comprehension (3.12/5) • Time Management (3.12/5) • Service Orientation (3.12/5)
O*NET describes occupational requirements; these ratings do not measure current job-posting frequency or an individual worker’s proficiency.
BLS projections are long-term estimates; annual openings include growth and replacement needs and are not current vacancies.
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