by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 460 U.S. colleges awarded 8,514 degrees and certificates in Surgical Technology. Associate degrees are the most popular award, at 75% of graduates. College Factual ranks 307 schools in its 2027 Best Surgical Technology Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing, rising to $77,808 after four years.
A 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.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., surgical technology is a widely-pursued major, with 8,514 degrees awarded annually. 460 colleges award surgical technology degrees, an average of 19 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 505.
By level, the 8,514 awards include 1,095 certificates, 6,385 associate degrees, 13 bachelor’s degrees and 1,001 master’s degrees.
Women earned 86% of surgical technology degrees and certificates in the latest year (7,337 of 8,514). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (3,608) and Hispanic or Latino (2,122), and international students earned 45.
College Factual ranks 307 schools in its 2027 Best Surgical Technology Schools ranking, including 264 for associate degrees and 11 for bachelor’s degrees. It also ranks surgical technology schools within 44 states. In all, 460 colleges offer surgical technology programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Surgical Technology Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common surgical technology credential is the associate degree: 6,385 of the 8,514 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to surgical technology call most for Active Listening, Monitoring and Speaking, and for knowledge of Medicine and Dentistry, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Oral Expression and Near Vision.
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How long a surgical technology degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 1,095 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 6,385 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 13 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,001 |
Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to surgical technology, at 26.1%.
| 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% |
Source: O*NET Online.
3 occupations are related to Surgical Technology, with an average median salary of $86,904; the strongest outlook belongs to Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary, at 10.7% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Certified Surgical Technician, Surgical Orderly, Travel OR Tech (Travel Operating Room Technician) and Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech).
The occupation related to surgical technology with the most projected jobs is Surgical Technologists, at 1,820,366.
| 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% |
Surgical Technology graduates earn a median $68,190 one year after completing their program, $77,808 after four years and $70,516 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $68,190 |
| 4 years | $77,808 |
| 5 years | $70,516 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to surgical technology is Surgical Assistants, with a median salary of $141,004.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Assistants | $141,004 |
| Surgical Technologists | $73,045 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
Surgical Technology has 21 similar majors in the Health Professions field, which together award 89,960 degrees a year; the largest are Emergency Medical Technology/Technician (EMT Paramedic) (32,528), Physician Associate/Assistant (13,743) and Radiologic Technology/Science - Radiographer (13,037). Browse all Health Professions majors or the full list of college majors.
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