What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Surgical Technologists in the U.S. earn more than $64,650 a year — the middle 80% land between $45,940 and $96,940. About 117,460 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Surgical Technologists”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Professionals earn about ₹38,298 a month on average — around ₹4.6 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$64,650typical pay / year
117,460people in this work
$96,940+top 10% earn
₹4.6 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Protecting2
Maintain highest standard of sterile technique
+Before the 08:00 case start, inspect the scrub table and mayo stand setup for Case 12, swap any damp or torn…
Maintain highest standard of sterile technique
+Before the 08:00 case start, inspect the scrub table and mayo stand setup for Case 12, swap any damp or torn drapes, confirm all sterile instrument wrappers are intact, and call the circulating nurse if anything compromises the field.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Count sharps, sponges, and instruments
+At knife time and again before closing, perform a verbal and visual count of sharps, sponges, and instruments…
Count sharps, sponges, and instruments
+At knife time and again before closing, perform a verbal and visual count of sharps, sponges, and instruments with the circulating nurse for Dr. Patel, document each count on the operative count sheet, and resolve any discrepancy before the patient leaves the room.
The tools that do the workNursing documentationjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Keeping the record3
Prepare operating rooms for surgery
+Two hours before the first case, set up Operating Room 3 for a laparotomy: check the table positioner, lay…
Prepare operating rooms for surgery
+Two hours before the first case, set up Operating Room 3 for a laparotomy: check the table positioner, lay out the approved instrument set on a sterile field with Mayo stand placement, arrange suction and cautery, and confirm the table and lights are functioning.
The tools that do the workPatient trackingSupply documentationjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Assist with surgical specimen handling
+When a specimen arrives, label the container with the patient name and MRN, complete the specimen requisition…
Assist with surgical specimen handling
+When a specimen arrives, label the container with the patient name and MRN, complete the specimen requisition for Dr. Kim including suspected tissue and fixation type, place the specimen in the transport cooler, and hand it to pathology courier with a signed chain-of-custody.
The tools that do the workMEDITECHjob descriptionsO*NETWikipedia
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Order surgical supplies.
+Review the surgical schedule for next week, check par levels for sutures, mesh, and specialty trays, submit a…
Order surgical supplies.
+Review the surgical schedule for next week, check par levels for sutures, mesh, and specialty trays, submit a consolidated requisition to central supply for any items below par, and confirm expected delivery by Wednesday morning.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationPatient schedulingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Coordinate1
Assist in draping the patient
+Prepare the sterile drape setup at the head and chest for Mrs. Lopez in OR 3, hand me the fenestrated body…
Assist in draping the patient
+Prepare the sterile drape setup at the head and chest for Mrs. Lopez in OR 3, hand me the fenestrated body drape and the smaller laparotomy towel, arrange the adhesive edges over the incision line and keep sterile scissors ready.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationjob descriptionsWikipedia
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The daily work14
Distinguish fabrics
+Compare the scrub samples under the stereomicroscope, note weave pattern, fiber sheen, and dye bleed,…
Distinguish fabrics
+Compare the scrub samples under the stereomicroscope, note weave pattern, fiber sheen, and dye bleed, classify each as cotton, polyester, blended, or specialty, tag unusable ones for disposal and list three preferred suppliers for replacements.
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Measure yarn count
+Cut a 10 cm strip from the sample, weigh it, perform the single-thread yarn count using the re-hydration and…
Measure yarn count
+Cut a 10 cm strip from the sample, weigh it, perform the single-thread yarn count using the re-hydration and twist method, record wraps per inch and calculated yarn count, and mark accept/reject against the lot number.
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Prepare and pass medications and hemostatic agents
+Prepare and pass the coded antibiotic, topical thrombin, gelatin sponge and oxidized cellulose to Dr.…
Prepare and pass medications and hemostatic agents
+Prepare and pass the coded antibiotic, topical thrombin, gelatin sponge and oxidized cellulose to Dr. Hernandez during closure, confirm lot numbers and expiration on each vial and sponge at the table before handing them over.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationjob descriptionsO*NET
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Hold retractors or instruments as directed
+Hold the deep Gelpi and Richardson retractors as Dr. Patel directs, adjusting tension smoothly when he asks…
Hold retractors or instruments as directed
+Hold the deep Gelpi and Richardson retractors as Dr. Patel directs, adjusting tension smoothly when he asks and anticipating when he reaches for a suction or forceps to maintain a clear field.
The tools that do the workPatient trackingjob descriptionsWikipedia
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Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
+Monitor the patient’s pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation displays every five minutes and report any…
Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
+Monitor the patient’s pulse, blood pressure and oxygen saturation displays every five minutes and report any tachycardia, hypotension or desaturation to the circulating nurse and Dr. Kim immediately.
The tools that do the workNursing documentationO*NET
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Gather, check, and open supplies and equipment needed
+Gather and inspect the case cart items: verified sterilization indicators, functioning suction tubing, intact…
Gather, check, and open supplies and equipment needed
+Gather and inspect the case cart items: verified sterilization indicators, functioning suction tubing, intact suture packets and counted needles, open backtable packs and lay them out sterilely before incision.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationjob descriptions
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Set up sterile back table and Mayo stand
+Set up a sterile back table and Mayo stand with instrument sets arranged by sequence for Dr. Lee, towels for…
Set up sterile back table and Mayo stand
+Set up a sterile back table and Mayo stand with instrument sets arranged by sequence for Dr. Lee, towels for mayo, labeled bowls for irrigation and a separate field for sharp instruments before scrubbed time.
The tools that do the workSupply documentationjob descriptions
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Apply electrocautery to bleeders
+Apply the electrocautery pencil to the bleeding point at Dr. Alvarez’s instruction using coagulate setting,…
Apply electrocautery to bleeders
+Apply the electrocautery pencil to the bleeding point at Dr. Alvarez’s instruction using coagulate setting, confirm foot pedal response, and sweep the site after cautery to check hemostasis.
The tools that do the workPatient trackingjob descriptions
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Monitor patient comfort and provide reassurance
+Stay with Mrs. Alvarez while she wakes in PACU, speak in a calm tone, check her comfort and incision site…
Monitor patient comfort and provide reassurance
+Stay with Mrs. Alvarez while she wakes in PACU, speak in a calm tone, check her comfort and incision site every five minutes, offer ice for nausea and extra pillow support, and call the nurse immediately if pain or bleeding increases.
The tools that do the workNursing documentationjob descriptions
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Assist with applying tourniquets and monitoring
+Hand Dr. Patel the proximal and distal tourniquet bands, tighten to the requested pressure, note time…
Assist with applying tourniquets and monitoring
+Hand Dr. Patel the proximal and distal tourniquet bands, tighten to the requested pressure, note time applied, then monitor distal pulses and skin color every two minutes and report any ischemic change to anesthesia.
The tools that do the workPatient trackingjob descriptions
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Help transport patient to recovery
+Assist the circulating nurse to move Mr. Jones from OR table to stretcher using sheet transfer, secure lines…
Help transport patient to recovery
+Assist the circulating nurse to move Mr. Jones from OR table to stretcher using sheet transfer, secure lines and airway, ensure blankets cover the wound, wheel him to recovery handing over vitals, dressing status, and estimated blood loss to the receiving RN.
The tools that do the workPatient schedulingjob descriptions
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Distinguish accessories
+Sort the instrument set and sterile supplies before case, identify each accessory—retractors, cable ties,…
Distinguish accessories
+Sort the instrument set and sterile supplies before case, identify each accessory—retractors, cable ties, suction tips, wound vac parts—label and place them on the mayo for surgeon preference, flag missing items and restock the case cart.
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Use textile technique for hand-made products
+Prepare hand-sewn soft goods needed for the case: cut the appropriate fabric, use running and mattress stitch…
Use textile technique for hand-made products
+Prepare hand-sewn soft goods needed for the case: cut the appropriate fabric, use running and mattress stitch to finish edges, reinforce stress points, and deliver three sterile, labeled textile items to the sterile field.
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Manufacture braided products
+Braid the tourniquet ties and create three braided retention cords to surgeon length, check tensile integrity…
Manufacture braided products
+Braid the tourniquet ties and create three braided retention cords to surgeon length, check tensile integrity by gentle pull, trim and heat-seal ends so they do not fray, and place each on a sterile towel for use.
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Says who?
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Same family of work — each with its own tasks and prompts.
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses