by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Surgical Technology explores Surgical Technology/technologist. A Program That Prepares Individuals, Under The Supervision Of Physicians And Surgical Nurses, To Maintain, Monitor, And Enforce The Sterile Field And Adherence To Aseptic Technique By Preoperative, Surgical Team, And Postoperative Personnel. Includes Instruction In Instrument And Equipment Sterilization And Handling, Surgical Supplies Management, Wound Exposure And Closure, Surgical Computer And Robot Operation And Monitoring, Maintenance Of Hemostasis, And Patient And Team Scrubbing. Continue reading for the important information every surgical technology student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering surgical technology programs.
In the U.S., surgical technology is a widely-pursued major, with 7,626 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Surgical Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 449 schools to determine the best overall colleges for surgical technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of surgical technology programs later in this article.
Coursework for Surgical Technology emphasize a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations surgical technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set emphasized by a surgical technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a surgical technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several surgical technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,144 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 5,465 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 25 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 963 |
People currently working in careers related to surgical technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 26.1% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 19.0% |
| Some college courses | 13.3% |
| Master’s degree | 12.5% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 6.7% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.6% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 5.5% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3.9% |
View the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in surgical technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in surgical technology can lead to many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to surgical technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to surgical technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | 1,820,366 | -3.0% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Surgical Assistants | 1,081,924 | 9.9% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of surgical technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $67,845 |
| 4 years | $61,295 |
| 5 years | $69,015 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for surgical technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers surgical technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Assistants | $141,004 |
| Surgical Technologists | $73,045 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
With 449 different surgical technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased surgical technology school rankings to help you.
Those considering surgical technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
