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For Educators: Military Resources
For Educators: Military Resources

Surgical Assistants

Median Salary
59,160
Job Outlook
+6%
In-Demand

Overview

What are the responsibilities of this role?

Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.

Did you know this role exists in the Military?

What is the job outlook?

Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2023 to 2033, faster than the average for all occupations. About 8,700 openings for surgical assistants and technologists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Compensation

What is the typical salary range?

$21,580

10%

$59,160

Median

$101,600

90%

How does location impact how much salary?

Education

What level of education do professionals in this role have?

Education Level

  • Associate's degree

    24%

  • Post baccalaureate

    16%

  • Post-secondary certificate

    15%

  • High school

    13%

  • Some college

    10%

  • Master's degree

    7%

  • Bachelor's degree

    7%

  • Post-doctoral training

    4%

Which college majors best prepare you for this role?

  • Surgical Technology/Technologist

Skills and Interest

What knowledge should you bring to the table?

  • Medicine and Dentistry
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Education and Training
  • Biology
  • Psychology

What personality traits help people thrive in this role?

Realistic

You love hands-on work and solving practical problems — like fixing things and building stuff.

Conventional

You like structure, staying organized, and working with systems to get things done efficiently.

Social

You love connecting with people, helping others and making a difference in your community.

RIASEC represents six broad interest areas—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional—helping individuals identify careers that match their skills and preferences.

Take the RIASEC Test

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Data supplied by Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center of Education Statistics, Defense Manpower Data Center (View our update schedule). Contact any business, college or military service branch to answer additional questions.