Surgical Technologist Salary

By an allied health world contributing writer
Published: February 4th, 2010

Salary ranges are based on the type of employment setting and the level of the surgical technologist’s experience. Physicians’ offices and outpatient surgery centers typically pay better than hospitals. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary in 2006 for surgical technologists was $36,000 per year. The middle fifty percent earned between $30,000-44,000.

Is the field of surgical technology in high demand?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2006 and 2016, employment in this field is expected to grow 24%, which is much faster than Surgical Technologist Salary

the average across all occupations. As the population is aging and more people are in need of surgery, this will continue to be a field with employment growth. Also, there are advances in technology such as laser technology that has created new surgical procedures. Job opportunities will be greatest for those individuals who become certified as surgical technologists.

Learn more about surgical technologist jobs.

What opportunities exist for career advancement for surgical technologists?

Surgical technologists are able to advance by specializing in an area such as neurosurgery or open-heart surgery. However, the main career advancement for this field is to become a surgical first assistant. The NBSTSA offers a credential called a Certified First Assistant (CFA). Effective January 1, 2011, the CFA credential designation will be changed to Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA).

In the 1940s through part of the 70s, most surgeries had a secondary surgeon participating. The primary surgeon diagnosed the patient and scheduled them for surgery but would bring a secondary surgeon to assist them with the surgery. This secondary surgeon could be the surgeon’s partner or someone who is in a separate practice. For many years the secondary surgeon would bill and be reimbursed for the surgery by insurance companies. With health care reform over the years involving Medicare and Medicaid, the reimbursement for the secondary surgeon role decreased. Fewer surgeons serve in the secondary role due to the low compensation. Therefore a new role evolved for the non-physician surgical first assistant.

Learn more about surgical technologist schools.

There are now three groups that fulfill the non-physician surgical first assistant role:

RNs who hold the credential Registered Nurse First Assistants (RNFA)
Physicians Assistants who hold the credential Physician’s Assistant-Certified (PA-C)
Certified First Assistants (CFA)