Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. Surgical assistants, also called surgical first assistants, help surgeons with tasks such as making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.
Surgical technologists typically do the following:
Before an operation, surgical technologists prepare the operating room by setting up surgical instruments and equipment. They prepare sterile solutions and medications used in surgery and check that all surgical equipment is working properly. Surgical technologists also bring patients to the operating room and get them ready for surgery by positioning them on the table, covering them with sterile drapes, and washing and disinfecting incision sites. And they help the surgical team put on sterile gowns.
During an operation, surgical technologists pass the sterile instruments and supplies to surgeons and first assistants. They might hold retractors, hold internal organs in place during the procedure, or set up robotic surgical equipment. Technologists also may handle specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
After the operation is complete, surgical technologists may apply bandages and other dressings to the incision site. They may also transfer patients to recovery rooms and restock operating rooms after a procedure.
Surgical assistants have a hands-on role, directly assisting surgeons during a procedure. For example, they may help to suction the incision site or suture a wound.
Surgical assistants and technologists work as members of a healthcare team alongside physicians and surgeons, registered nurses, and other healthcare workers.
Surgical assistants held about 18,000 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of surgical assistants were as follows:
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | 41% |
| Offices of physicians | 25 |
| Offices of dentists | 20 |
| Outpatient care centers | 3 |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 2 |
Surgical technologists held about 110,700 jobs in 2021. The largest employers of surgical technologists were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 72% |
| Offices of physicians | 11 |
| Outpatient care centers | 11 |
| Offices of dentists | 2 |
| Administrative and support services | 1 |
Ambulatory surgical centers are included in outpatient care centers.
Surgical assistants and technologists wear scrubs and sterile gowns, gloves, caps, and masks while they are in the operating room. Their work may be physically demanding, requiring them to be on their feet for long periods. Surgical technologists also may need to help move patients or lift heavy trays of medical supplies. At times, they may be exposed to communicable diseases and unpleasant sights, odors, and materials.
Most surgical assistants and technologists work full time. Surgical assistants and technologists employed in hospitals may work or be on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be required to work shifts lasting longer than 8 hours.
Surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or an associate’s degree. Employers may require or prefer that workers have certification. Some states regulate these workers.
Surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or associate’s degree from an accredited program. Many community colleges and vocational schools, as well as some universities and hospitals, offer accredited surgical technology or surgical assisting programs.
Surgical assistants may complete a formal education program in surgical assisting. Others may work as surgical technologists and receive additional on-the-job training to become first assistants.
Surgical technology education includes courses such as anatomy, microbiology, and physiology. These workers also learn about the care and safety of patients, sterilization techniques, how to set up technical or robotic equipment, and preventing and controlling infections. In addition to classroom study, students gain hands-on experience in supervised clinical settings.
The Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredits programs in surgical technology and surgical assisting.
Communication. To prevent infections or other complications, surgical assistants and technologists must relay any issues that arise during surgery to the other members of the healthcare team.
Detail oriented. Surgical assistants and technologists must pay close attention to their work. For example, surgical technologists need to provide the correct sterile equipment for surgeons during an operation.
Dexterity. Surgical assistants and technologists should be comfortable working with their hands. They must provide needed equipment quickly.
Integrity. Because they are trusted to help during surgical procedures, surgical assistants and technologists must be ethical and honest.
Listening skills. Responding to requests from surgeons and others on the surgical team requires the ability to listen to and understand spoken directions.
Physical stamina. Surgical assistants and technologists should be comfortable standing for extended periods.
Stress-management skills. Working in an operating room can be stressful. Surgical assistants and technologists should work well under pressure.
Certification may be beneficial for finding a job, and some employers may require it. Surgical assistants and technologists may earn certification through credentialing organizations.
For example, certification through the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting allows the use of the title “Certified Surgical Technologist (CST).” Certification typically requires completing an accredited formal education program or military training program and passing an exam.
Certification through the National Center for Competency Testing allows the use of the title “Tech in Surgery – Certified or TS-C (NCCT).” Applicants may qualify through formal education, military training, or work experience. All require documenting critical skills and passing an exam.
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting, the National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants, and the American Board of Surgical Assistants offer certification for surgical assistants.
In addition, many jobs require that surgical assistants and technologists become certified in CPR or basic life support (BLS), or both.
Some states have regulations governing the work of surgical assistants and technologists. For more information, contact your state licensing agency.
Surgical assistants and technologists may choose to advance to other healthcare occupations, such as registered nurse. Advancement to other healthcare occupations usually requires additional education, training, and/or certifications or licenses. A technologist may also choose to become a postsecondary teacher of health specialties.
Median annual wages, May 2021
The median annual wage for surgical assistants was $48,320 in May 2021. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,680, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $96,870.
The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $48,530 in May 2021. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $36,930, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $75,940.
In May 2021, the median annual wages for surgical assistants in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Offices of physicians | $61,250 |
| General medical and surgical hospitals; state, local, and private | 49,940 |
| Outpatient care centers | 48,570 |
| Offices of other health practitioners | 47,000 |
| Offices of dentists | 40,540 |
In May 2021, the median annual wages for surgical technologists in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:
| Outpatient care centers | $56,470 |
| Offices of physicians | 50,220 |
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 48,310 |
| Offices of dentists | 48,070 |
| Administrative and support services | 37,850 |
Most surgical assistants and technologists work full time. Surgical assistants and technologists employed in hospitals may work or be on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be required to work shifts lasting longer than 8 hours.
Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31
Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations.
About 9,600 openings for surgical assistants and technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.
In addition, the aging of the large baby-boom generation is expected to increase the need for surgical assistants and technologists because older people usually require more operations. Moreover, as these individuals age, they may be more willing than those in previous generations to seek medical treatment to improve their quality of life. For example, an individual may decide to have a knee-replacement operation in order to maintain an active lifestyle.
| Occupational Title | SOC Code | Employment, 2021 | Projected Employment, 2031 | Change, 2021-31 | Employment by Industry | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percent | Numeric | ||||||
SOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program |
|||||||
Surgical assistants and technologists |
— | 128,700 | 136,400 | 6 | 7,700 | — | |
Surgical assistants |
29-9093 | 18,000 | 19,200 | 6 | 1,200 | Get data | |
Surgical technologists |
29-2055 | 110,700 | 117,200 | 6 | 6,500 | Get data | |
For more information about surgical technologists, visit
Association of Surgical Technologists
For a list of accredited programs for surgical assistants and technologists, visit
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs
For information about certification, visit
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting
National Center for Competency Testing
National Commission for the Certification of Surgical Assistants
American Board of Surgical Assistants