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Kraena Pre-Health
Career Library

Technical & Diagnostic

Surgical Technologist

Scrubs in and assists the surgical team in the operating room — the fastest route to being present for real surgery.

Years after high school

1–2

Degree

Certificate or associate degree

Entrance exam

None

Median pay

$64,650 national median for surgical technologists (BLS, May 2025).

What the job is actually like

Setting up the sterile field, passing instruments, anticipating what the surgeon needs before being asked, and maintaining sterility throughout. Long hours standing, early start times, and call shifts. Excellent exposure if you are considering surgery, nursing, or PA later.

The path

  1. 01Certificate or associate degree in surgical technology
  2. 02Clinical rotations in an operating room
  3. 03CST certification exam

Good fit if

  • You want to be in an operating room quickly and cheaply
  • You are calm and precise under pressure
  • You want strong clinical hours while deciding on a longer path

Think twice if

  • You want patient interaction — your patients are asleep
  • Standing for long stretches is difficult for you
  • You want decision-making authority rather than a support role

Similar paths worth comparing

Radiologic Technologist

Produces the images physicians rely on to see inside the body.

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Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Manages breathing and ventilators — one of the most critical roles in intensive care.

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Public Health (MPH)

Works on the health of whole populations rather than one patient at a time.

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All salary figures here are median annual wages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 — the most recent full national dataset. 'Median' means half of workers earn more and half earn less. Three things to keep in mind: (1) pay varies enormously by state, city, setting, and experience — a nurse in California and a nurse in rural Alabama earn very different salaries; (2) training lengths are typical, not guaranteed, and programs differ; (3) these numbers change every year. Always verify current figures at bls.gov/ooh before making a decision. For context, the BLS median wage for all U.S. occupations was $50,980, while healthcare practitioner and technical occupations had a median of $86,530 — one of the reasons health care is such a stable field.