by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, surgical technology/technologist was the 169th most popular major nationwide with 7,583 degrees awarded. This is a difference of 433 over the prior year, a growth of 5.7%.
Our 2023 Best Surgical Technology Schools ranking analyzes 266 of these schools to determine the best overall colleges for surgical technology/technologist students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of surgical technology/technologist programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in surgical technology/technologist is giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Required skills include monitoring/assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action and talking to others to convey information effectively.
A high school diploma or equivalent is typically required for most surgical technology/technologist degree programs and many students will need a minimum GPA and SAT/ACT score depending on the school. Once you obtain your degree, additional surgical technology/technologist certifications required to pursue a career in this field.
Surgical Technology/Technologist degree levels vary. You can spend many years getting as high as a in surgical technology/technologist to something that takes less time like a . Surgical Technology programs can take anywhere between one to four or more years for a full-time student to complete.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
An associate degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to surgical technology/technologist, with approximately 22.6% of workers getting one. See the the most common levels of education for surgical technology/technologist workers below.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 26.3% |
| Post-Secondary Certificate | 19.9% |
| Master’s Degree | 14.9% |
| Some College Courses | 14.0% |
| Doctoral Degree | 10.3% |
About 68.8% of workers in careers related to surgical technology/technologist obtain at least associate degrees. The chart below shows what degree level those who work in surgical technology/technologist have obtained.
This of course varies depending on which surgical technology/technologist career you choose.
Want a job when you graduate with your surgical technology/technologist degree? Surgical Technology careers are expected to grow 21.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to surgical technology/technologist.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | 294,000 | 25.9% |
| Surgical Technologists | 120,300 | 11.7% |
As you might expect, salaries for surgical technology/technologist graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for surgical technology/technologist graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers surgical technology/technologist grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Health Specialties Professors | $122,320 |
| Surgical Technologists | $49,040 |
With over 650 different surgical technology/technologist degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased surgical technology/technologist school rankings to help you with this.
Surgical Technology is one of 21 different types of Allied Health Professions programs to choose from.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) | 26,641 |
| Physician Assistant | 11,351 |
| Radiologic Technology | 9,790 |
| Respiratory Care Therapy | 6,845 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonography/Sonographer and Ultrasound Technician | 5,396 |
