Surgical Technologist Jobs in the USA Paying $134,000 Yearly

Surgical technologist jobs in the United States offer a unique opportunity to make a significant contribution in the operating room and truly impact patients’ lives. To make sure that surgeries go efficiently and safely, surgical technologists collaborate with surgeons, nurses, and other medical specialists. These experts are crucial to the success of every procedure, helping with everything from sterile environment maintenance and surgical tool preparation to operating room support. Surgical technologist jobs in the USA continue to provide fulfilling career options, competitive pay, and excellent employment stability for people who are passionate about healthcare and patient care due to the rising need for healthcare services and developments in surgical technology.

Read Also: Registered Nurse Jobs in the USA

What are Surgical Technologist Jobs?

Throughout a surgical procedure, surgical technologists, also known as operating room technicians, assist and collaborate with surgeons, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. Because they maintain a clean and orderly environment, surgical technologists play a crucial role. Surgical technologists collaborate with nurses, anaesthesiologists, and surgeons in the operating room. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative are the three stages into which their routine responsibilities and tasks can be divided, respectively. Surgical technologists prioritize sterilization and preparation before the procedure. They keep the operating space and equipment sterile, assisting in getting the patient ready for surgery. Collecting, calculating, and organizing the surgical instruments and equipment required for the procedure.

Also, they make sure patients get ready for the treatment. Surgical technologists also have a number of crucial duties to perform throughout the surgery. They handle sterilizing the surgical room. Transferring surgical instruments to the physician and the physician assistant, and aiding in the surgical patient’s tissue retraction. Following surgery, surgical technologists help to conclude the process and are in charge of keeping track of all the instruments and tools used during the procedure, covering surgical areas with dressings, throwing away gauze and needles, and upholding sterility in the operating room until the patient is transferred to the recovery area. 

Read Also: X-ray Tech Jobs in the USA

Types of Surgical Technologist Jobs

• Surgical Neurophysiologist 

Working alongside the anaesthesiologist, surgeon, nurses, and other members of a patient’s medical team in the operating room is what a surgical neurophysiologist does. During some treatments, such as brain, vascular, and spinal surgeries, you test and keep an eye on the patient to help avoid consequences like hearing loss, paralysis, and stroke. EEG, ECoG, and numerous other forms of testing and monitoring are used to identify potentially harmful changes in the patient’s condition and assist the surgeon in making decisions. Preoperative and postoperative monitoring are additional roles and obligations that may fall outside of the operating room, contingent on the operation and prognosis. Pay range is $276,000 to $300,000 annually.

• Operating Room Technician

An operating room technician, sometimes referred to as a surgical technologist, assists surgeons, physicians, and nurses with surgical tasks in an operating room in a hospital, surgical center, or other healthcare facility. Providing patient care, setting up operating room equipment, monitoring patient vital signs during surgery, and using simple hand tools are all typical responsibilities of an operating room technician. Transferring patients from the operating room, sending any specimens to the labs, and replenishing supplies are all part of the post-surgery responsibilities. Experience in an operating room is necessary for this job, usually from an approved post-secondary training program. Essential skills, such as an overview of surgical technology and fundamental medical principles, are taught in these programs. The range of salaries is  $70,500 to $105,500 a year.

• Cardiovascular Operating Room Assistant

 The current salary range for Cardiovascular Operating Room Technicians in the United States is between $101,500 (25th percentile) and $134,500 (75th percentile) a year. Although there is room for progress, this moderate salary range indicates that compensation in this profession will be constant regardless of years of experience, location, or skill level. Few businesses are presently hiring for the position of Cardiovascular Operating Room Technician; therefore, the employment market in the USA is not very active. Pay range is $101,500 to $134,500 annually.

• CST

A certified surgical technologist, or CST, is a healthcare provider who helps the surgeon both before and during surgery, as well as with setting up the operating room. Preparing the operating room, which involves setting up all the equipment and ensuring that all the surgical instruments are sanitary, is one of their tasks. They also assist the nurses and the surgeon in cleaning up before the operation. They clean the incision sites and get patients ready for surgery in addition to their responsibilities in the surgical bay. The CST provides equipment to the surgeons and nurses, assists with manual tasks like holding instruments or organs, and meticulously counts supplies like sponges during surgery. The range of salaries is $88,000 to $122,500 a year.

Read Also: Pharmaceutical Sales Jobs in the USA

• Tech Scrub

 Currently, the majority of scrub techs in the US make between $50,000 and $97,500 per year. This wide range of possible salaries indicates that, depending on years of experience, location, and skill level, there may be numerous chances for promotion and higher compensation. The Scrub Tech job market in the US is not very active. To locate positions with additional open positions, you can try looking through relevant titles. The range of salaries is $50,000 to $97,500 annually.

• Cardiovascular Surgical Technician

 A cardiovascular surgical tech’s responsibilities include helping a cardiac surgeon prior to, during, and following heart surgery or a related operation. They assist with preoperative care and transport, as well as preparing the cardiovascular operating room (CVOR). They help the surgical team during the procedure, keep an eye on the patient’s condition, and move them to a recovery area. Obtaining a postgraduate degree and certification are prerequisites for becoming a surgical technologist. Pay range is  $74,000 to $143,000 annually.

• Technologist in the Operating Room 

Currently, the bulk of operating room technologist salaries in the US fall between $47,500 and $87,000 each year. This wide range of possible salaries indicates that, depending on years of experience, location, and skill level, there may be numerous chances for promotion and higher compensation. The operating room technologist job market in the USA is not extremely active, since few organizations are presently hiring for this position. The range of salaries is $47,500 to $87,000 annually.

• Technologist in the Operating Room

 Currently, the bulk of operating room technologist salaries in the US fall between $47,500 and $87,000 each year. This wide range of possible salaries indicates that, depending on years of experience, location, and skill level, there may be numerous chances for promotion and higher compensation. The operating room technologist job market in the US is not extremely active, since few organizations are presently hiring for this position. The range of salaries is $47,500 to $87,000 annually

• Operating Room Assistant

 Most operating room assistants in the US currently make between $32,000 and $48,500 a year. Although there is room for progress, this moderate salary range indicates that compensation in this profession will be constant regardless of years of experience, location, or skill level. Pay range is $32,000 to $48,500 annually.

• Technician Operator 

Currently, the majority of Operator Technician wages in the US fall between $36,000 and $48,000 per year. Although some progression is conceivable, this moderate salary range indicates that remuneration in this profession will be consistent, independent of skill level, location, and years of experience. Few organizations are presently hiring for the position of Operator Technician; therefore, the employment market in the United States is not extremely active. To locate positions with additional open positions, you can try looking through relevant titles. Salary range: $36,000-$48,000 per year.

• Technician in Tissue Recovery 

Human tissue is collected by a tissue recovery technician following a patient’s death for research, transplantation, or tissue donation. As a tissue recovery technician, you carry out several tasks to guarantee the safety and viability of tissue samples. For instance, to rule out contagious diseases, you gather data about the donor, such as lab test results. You verify the patient’s identity and record every stage of the tissue recovery procedure to guarantee thorough and precise documentation. Suturing the body is necessary after removing tissue, bone, or corneas from a patient so that it can be processed in a funeral home or an autopsy. The range of salaries is $35,500 to $44,500 annually.

• Technician for Surgical Scrubs

 In a sterile operating room setting, a surgical scrub technician is a member of a team. Under the guidance of a surgeon, you scrub in for operations as a surgical tech. Your duties may involve preparing instruments and equipment in the operating room as well as providing patient care during preparation, transport, and operation, depending on the procedure. While some businesses just require a high school degree, others may require certification as a registered nurse or surgical technologist. Although your responsibilities will be determined by your experience, becoming a surgical tech requires on-the-job training and skill development. The range of salaries is $47,000 to $76,500 annually.

• Tech for OB Scrubs 

Along with nursing and medical care obligations, an OB scrub tech’s tasks also include administrative and clerical work. Greeting patients and assisting them with any paperwork they may need to complete are among your administrative responsibilities as the OB department’s receptionist. In addition, you make appointments and take phone calls. Assistance with patient evaluation, planning, and execution of medical operations, surgical site preparation, and equipment readiness are all part of your medical duties. Patient records are another thing you gather. Pay ranges from $61,000 to $76,500 annually.

Read Also: Radiology Tech Jobs Paying $124,000 Yearly in the USA

5 Places Where a Surgical Technologist Works

A hospital operating room is most likely the first location that springs to mind when people consider their future careers as surgical technologists. Surgical technologists operate in a variety of locations, although this is the most typical one. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the top 5 locations for surgical technologists to work:

• Hospitals (public, private, and state) 

The operating room is where hospital surgical technologists spend the majority of their time. Due to the complexity of procedures and the numerous devices that need to be monitored, many surgical technologists specialize in one particular kind of surgery. Surgical technologists at hospitals can specialize in orthopedic, cardiothoracic, general, pediatric, or a variety of other surgical suites. In the US, 71% of surgical technologists are employed by hospitals. The average annual salary is $56,600. The hours of operation are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. On-call hours are important on weekends and at night.

• Physicians’ offices 

Moreover, surgical technologists may work in doctors’ offices. In addition to helping with basic procedures, the surgical techs here may also be in charge of administrative duties, including making appointments or handling insurance. Surgical technicians are most frequently required in pain clinics, medical spas, and dermatological offices. In the USA, the percentage of jobs is 12% of all surgical technicians. They are employed in doctors’ offices annually. The average salary is $51,730. They work Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. They help with procedures, apply bandages and ointments, record procedures, make appointments, and communicate with insurance companies.

Read Also: Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs in the USA

• Support and Administrative Services

 A few surgical technologists decide to work in support and administrative roles. Hospitals, doctors’ and dentists’ offices, and insurance firms all provide administrative positions. In-depth understanding of a surgical center’s operations is frequently necessary for administrative and support positions. Also, further training in medical coding or billing may be necessary. The percentage of jobs in the USA administrative and support services employs 2% of all surgical technologists. Average Annual Salary is $48,880. Typical working hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Among the duties are scheduling patients and doctors, handling insurance claims, answering queries from patients, ordering new supplies, taking inventory, entering data, taking calls, and typing and editing doctors’ dictations.

• Dentist offices occasionally

Dental offices employ surgical technicians to help with treatments like routine fillings, root canals, and tooth extractions. Surgical techs in dentist offices carry out many of the same tasks as those in physician offices and outpatient clinics. In the USA,  1% of all surgical technicians are employed by dentists. Also, the annual average salary for surgical technologist jobs is $44,990. The normal hours of work are usually Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Among their duties are sterilizing tools, getting patients ready for surgery, holding suction for the dentist, positioning patients during treatments, taking vital signs, organizing supplies, applying bandages and gauze, and cleaning the rooms in between patients.

• Outpatient Clinics 

There are still many procedures that can be performed, but surgical technologist jobs can help with less invasive surgeries in outpatient care centers than in hospitals. While they can utilize local anesthetics or conscious sedation for orthopedic or cosmetic treatments, outpatient surgical centers will not do major abdominal or heart surgery. Share of Jobs: Twelve percent of all surgical technologists in the US are employed by outpatient clinics. The average annual salary is $58,930. Usually they work Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Among the duties are checking patients in, taking their vital signs, setting up and sterilizing tools, applying basic bandages, cleaning and organizing rooms, and recording operations.

Read Also: Healthcare Administration Jobs in the USA

Conclusion 

Surgical technologist jobs in the USA offer a fulfilling and secure career path. It is for people who are meticulous, kind, and keen to contribute to the medical industry. As the backbone of the operating room, these specialists make sure that every treatment is performed carefully and precisely. The need for surgical technologists will only grow as healthcare continues to change and the need for qualified surgical teams rises. For individuals looking for a fast-paced, fulfilling, and hands-on career in healthcare, working as a surgical technologist offers more than just a job. It is an opportunity to help save lives every day.