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If you’re considering a career in surgical technology, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. Here’s a look at what surgical techs make in a month, on average.
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Introduction
A surgical tech, also called a surgical technologist, is an important member of the operating room team. Surgical techs work under the supervision of surgeons and registered nurses to provide patient care before, during and after surgery. If you are considering a career as a surgical tech, you may be wondering how much you can expect to earn.
In general, surgical techs earn a salary that is on par with other health care professions. The median annual salary for a surgical technologist was $47,300 in 2017, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This means that half of all surgical technologists earned more than $47,300 and half earned less.
However, your earnings as a surgical tech will depend on a number of factors, including your experience, education, certification and geographic location. For example, entry-level surgical techs tend to earn less than those with more experience. And surgical techs who work in rural areas may earn less than those who work in urban areas.
To get a better idea of how much you can expect to earn as a surgical tech, let’s take a look at the average monthly earnings for this occupation by state.
What is a Surgical Tech?
A surgical technologist is an allied health professional who works alongside surgeons, nurses and other medical staff during surgical procedures. Surgical techs are also known as operating room technicians or OR techs. They are responsible for setting up the operating room with the necessary equipment, instruments and supplies needed for each procedure. In addition, they may also assist with transporting patients to and from the operating room, monitoring their vital signs and helping to position them on the operating table. During the procedure, surgical techs hand surgeons instruments and other supplies, as well as provide assistance with tasks such as suctioning and applying dressings.
How Much Does a Surgical Tech Make in a Month?
The average surgical tech makes about $3,500 a month, but this can vary depending on experience, location, and other factors. In this article, we’ll discuss how much a surgical tech makes in a month and what factors can affect this.
National Average
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for a surgical technologist was $47,300 in May 2019, which means that half of all surgical techs made more than this amount and half made less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,040, while the highest 10 percent made more than $66,140.
Top 10%
The top 10% of surgical techs earn $6,046 or more per month, which amounts to $72,552 per year. The median salary for all surgical techs is $4,664 per month, or $55,968 annually. The bottom 10% of earners make $3,228 or less per month, which comes to an annual salary of $38,736 or less.
Bottom 10%
The lowest 10 percent of surgical techs earned less than $1,890 per month, or $22,680 per year, in 2016. The median monthly salary for all surgical techs was $2,740, or $32,880 per year. The average salary was slightly higher at $3,040 per month, or $36,480 annually.
Factors That Affect a Surgical Tech’s Salary
Surgical techs are in high demand. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that employment of surgical technologists will grow much faster than the average for all occupations through 2020. The average surgical tech salary was $41,790 in 2010, but with the increasing demand for surgical technologists, salaries will continue to rise. Factors that affect a surgical tech’s salary include experience, education, geographic location, and type of employer.
Location
One of the most significant factors in how much a surgical tech makes is location. Techs in rural areas make an average of $25,000 annually, while those in urban areas make $33,000 annually. The cost of living also has an impact on salaries; techs who live in areas with a high cost of living will make more money than those who live in areas with a low cost of living.
Experience
Surgical techs with more experience can expect to earn higher salaries. Surgical techs with 1 to 4 years of experience typically earn $15.81 to $20.63 per hour, or $33,000 to $43,000 per year. Those with 5 to 9 years of experience earn $17.31 to $22.50 per hour, or $36,000 to $47,000 per year. And those with 10 to 19 years of experience earn the highest wages at $19.13 to $24.69 per hour, or $39,000 to $51,000 per year.
Education
Surgical techs with certification and more formal training generally earn higher salaries than those who do not have certification or formal training. In addition, surgical techs who have earned an associate’s degree in surgical technology tend to earn more than those who have only completed a certificate program.
Certification
In order to qualify for a position as a surgical tech, one must complete an accredited surgical technology program and earn a certification. There are two major certifying organizations for surgical techs, the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) and the Liaison Council on Certification for the Surgical Technologist (LCC-ST). After completing an accredited program, candidates must then pass a written exam offered by either the NBSTSA or the LCC-ST.
Conclusion
From the data collected, it is evident that surgical techs make a good wage. The average monthly salary for a surgical tech is $3,500. However, this number can vary greatly depending on experience, geographical location, and other factors. The highest-paid 10 percent of surgical techs earn $4,800 or more per month, while the lowest-paid 10 percent earn $2,700 or less per month.
