---
title: "Surgical Technologist: Training, Certification, Pay"
description: "How to become a surgical technologist: accredited programs, the CST exam, what the job is like in the OR, and May 2025 BLS pay."
url: https://careerdirecting.com/careers/surgical-technologist/
updated: 2026-10-09
site: CareerDirecting
---

Healthcare · Surgical tech

# Surgical technologist The person who keeps the operating room running.

Healthcare career profile

Surgical technologists set up the operating room, keep everything sterile and hand surgeons the right instrument before they ask for it. It is intense, focused work with a short path in compared with nursing.

In short

Surgical technologists usually complete a certificate or associate degree program in surgical technology, then often earn the CST credential from the NBSTSA. They prepare operating rooms, sterilize equipment and assist surgeons during procedures. The May 2025 median pay was $64,650, and BLS projects 5% growth from 2025 to 2035.

**Job numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics** Updated October 9, 2026. Pay figures are national medians and are not a promise of what you will earn.

**On this page**

1. [ What the work is like](#s-what-the-work-is-like)
2. [How to get in](#s-how-to-get-in)
3. [Is it for you?](#s-is-it-for-you)
4. [Questions people ask](#s-faq)

| Median pay | $64,650 a year, about $31.08 an hour (May 2025) |
|---|---|
| Typical way in | Certificate |
| Jobs in the U.S. | About 118,400 (2025) |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | Projected growth of 5% |
| Openings each year | About 7,100 on average, including replacements |
| Common credential | Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) |
| Where they work | Hospitals, outpatient surgery centers |

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025 to 2035 and May 2025 wages, [BLS](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm). National figures; pay where you live can be higher or lower, and starting pay is lower than the median.

## What the work is like

You arrive before the patient, set up instrument trays, check that everything is sterile and count every sponge and needle. During surgery you pass instruments, hold retractors and watch the sterile field like a hawk. Afterward you count again. Cases can run long, and you will be on your feet the whole time, sometimes on call.

## How to get in

Look for programs accredited by CAAHEP or ABHES, which most certification paths require. Programs mix classes in anatomy and sterile technique with clinical rotations in real operating rooms. Some states require certification or registration.

## Is it for you?

It suits calm people who like precision and teamwork and do not faint at the sight of surgery. If you prefer less pressure, look at [sterile processing](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/sterile-processing-technician/).

## Questions people ask

### How long does it take to become a surgical tech?

Programs commonly take from several months to two years, depending on certificate or degree.

### Is surgical tech a good career?

It pays well for the training time and offers steady hospital work, with long days on your feet.

### Do surgical techs need certification?

Many employers prefer the CST, and some states require certification.

## Sources

- [BLS Employment Projections 2025 to 2035, Table 1.2 (occupational projections and worker characteristics)](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-projections-and-characteristics.htm)
- [BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: Surgical technologists](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/surgical-technologists.htm)

## Where to go next

- [Surgical vs sterile processing](https://careerdirecting.com/compare/surgical-tech-vs-sterile-processing/)
- [Sterile processing technician](https://careerdirecting.com/careers/sterile-processing-technician/)
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