Job Outlook and Careers
Employment of surgical technologists is expected to grow 24 percent between 2006 and 2016, much faster than the average for all occupations, as the volume of surgeries increases.
The number of surgical procedures is expected to rise as the population grows and ages. Older people, including the baby boom generation, who generally require more surgical procedures, will account for a larger portion of the general population. In addition, technological advances, such as fiber optics and laser technology, will permit an increasing number of new surgical procedures to be performed and also will allow surgical technologists to assist with a greater number of procedures.
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Fast Facts
- Hospitals will continue to be the primary employer of surgical technologists, although much faster employment growth is expected in offices of physicians and in outpatient care centers, including ambulatory surgical centers.
- Job opportunities will be best for technologists who are certified.
- Surgical technologists employed in 2006: 86,000
- Anticipated need in 2016: 107,000, a projected 24% growth rate
Salaries
| National average (May 2007) |
| Percentile |
10% |
25% |
50% |
75% |
90% |
| Hourly Wage |
$12.81 |
$15.10 |
$18.05 |
$21.75 |
$25.27 |
| Annual Wage |
$26,650 |
$31,410 |
$37,540 |
$45,250 |
$52,550 |