As the nation faces significant economic challenges and an uncertain job market, it is important to pursue careers in robust fields that boast strong job prospects. A career option you may want to evaluate during these times is in the field of surgical technology. Job prospects are expected to be excellent for surgical technicians over the coming decade. As the aging members of the baby boom generation will require extensive medical care and attention over the coming years, quality and competent surgical technicians will be in high demand. As a surgical tech, you can expect to become an integral role before, during and after surgeries. You can expect to prep the OR prior to operations, sterilize surgical instruments, assist the primary surgeon during operations, restock the operating room after operations and transfer patients to the recovery room. If you are considering a career in surgical technology, you must surely be interested in understanding the top employers for surgical techs.

Let’s take a look at the top five industries in terms of employment for surgical technicians. The first is general medical and surgical hospitals with a total employment of roughly 64,000 and average annual salary of roughly $41,000. The next industry is offices of physicians with a total employment of roughly 11,000 and average annual salary of roughly $43,000. The third of these industries is outpatient care centers with a total employment of roughly 8,000 and average annual salary of $43,000. The fourth of these industries is offices of dentists with a total employment of roughly 4,000 and average annual salary of roughly $37,000. Finally, other specialties encompass roughly 1,000 surgical technicians with an average annual salary of roughly $47,000. As far as salary expectations are concerned, geography, work experience, education and training will all play important roles in determining your initial earning potential.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in surgical technology, you will surely want to understand the top employers for surgical techs. The top five industries include: General medical and surgical hospitals, offices of physicians, outpatient care centers, offices of dentists and other specialties.

Are you interested in pursuing a career in a highly rewarding and robust field in health care that boasts excellent job prospects? Do you have a flexible schedule that allows you to devote between roughly a year and two years to an accredited training program that offers a mix of classroom education and clinical training? You may seriously want to consider a career in surgical technology. As a surgical technician, you can expect to play an important role before, during and after operations. You can expect to sterilize instruments, prepare the operating room for procedures, assist the primary surgeon during operations, restock the operating room after procedures and transfer patients to the recovery room after procedures. If you are seriously interest in pursuing a career in surgical technology, there is no doubt that you will be interested in learning more about the starting surgical tech salary levels. In this article, we will be taking a brief look at what you can expect in this area.

As is the case with most professions, geography, education and work experience all play an important role in determining salary expectations in a field. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of surgical technologists was roughly 41,000 in May 2009. This increased to roughly $43,000 as of January 2011. As far as specific starting surgical tech salary levels are concerned, Georgia is on the lowest end of the spectrum with an average salary of $11.76 per hour and California is on the highest end of the spectrum with an average salary of $15.51 per hour. It is important to factor in cost of living considerations in the various locations you are considering to pursue your career in surgical technology. It is very possible to experience swift career advancement in the field which will increase your salary expectations. As you gain seniority or choose to work in a larger institution, your salary expectations will increase. Also, if you specialize in a specific area, such as open-heart surgery or neurosurgery, your salary expectations will rise.

If you are seriously interested in pursuing a career in surgical technology, there is no doubt that you will be interested in understanding starting salary levels. Starting salary levels really do depend on geography, work experience, education and training. In any scenario, you can expect to have the opportunity for rapid career advancement as you gain seniority, transition to a larger institution or specialize in a specific area.

Anyone who wants to make money in medicine but does not want to be in medical school for a long time can benefit from a surgical technician salary. Surgical technicians, also known as surgical technologists, are part of a medical operating team that consists of surgeons, doctors, nurses, and anesthesiologists. The tech arranges surgical equipment and ensures that all of the parts are functioning properly. Technicians also set out the sterile items for the operation. During surgery, they monitor the flow of fluids like blood, saline, and plasma, in addition to the patient’s vital signs. They hand the right instruments to the surgeon and learn to use different diagnostic equipment and sterilizers. After the surgery, they clean the room, restock the supplies, and sterilize the equipment.

According to the May 2010 reports from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, surgical technologists earn an average hourly wage of $20 per hour and an average hourly wage of $41,300 per year. The earned salaries varied by experience, employer, and location. The highest salaries earned in this profession are made in Nevada where workers made $50,700, followed by approximately $49,500 in Hawaii, Alaska, and California.

Surgical technician jobs are generally full-time positions that offer numerous benefits like health insurance, a 401(k), and paid vacation. The BLS expects that job expansion will be faster than usual due to the aging population that requires more medical care. These technicians may work nights and weekends in addition to rotational shifts and on-call schedules. A technician has to act fast while under pressure and remain behind when the patient is suffering from a life-threatening condition.

Surgical techs must finish schooling at a two-year college or vocational school in order to work. Even though a certification is optional, opportunities to become employed and to advance will increase significantly if the technician has finished the written exam. After techs become employed, they have to specialize in a specific type of surgery so they can earn a larger surgical technician salary. A few areas include neurosurgery, orthopedics, and plastic surgery.

Some medical professionals like surgical techs need certain skills in order to be successful. One skill that is commonly overlooked in a medical profession is communication skills. Surgical techs must know how to communicate well with a surgeon while he or she is trying to handle a sensitive, complex situation like surgery. Techs have to know exactly what various individuals are saying and ask the right questions. Techs should know how to be alert all the time because a wrong move or a misunderstanding could be dangerous. Techs should also possess strong math and science skills so they can administer dosages.

A surgical technician or technologist is a professional who is right next to the surgeon during an operation. Techs make a lucrative annual salary that can be as low as $32,000 a year and as high as $50,000 a year based on experience, employer, and location. It is a promising medical career that does not require a lot of medical schooling and has strong job growth. Many people interested in medicine can see a lot of benefit from a surgical technician salary.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average surgical technologist salary was $41,310 in May of 2010. Surgical technologists find jobs in a variety of medical settings. Some of these include specialty hospitals, outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals and offices of physicians and dentists.

Surgical Technologist Salary Specifics

Each setting reported its own average salary in 2010. Specialty hospitals had the highest paying average of $46,630 and offices of physicians came in second offering an average of $42,690. Outpatient care centers paid an average yearly wage of $42,480, whereas surgical technologists working in general medical and surgical hospitals earned an average of $40,780. Dental offices paid the lowest average yearly wage of $37,470.

The salary earned varies according to a number of factors. The local economy affects the average wages as does the experience and education of the surgical technologist. The level of responsibilities and the working hours of the surgical technologist are also determining factors regarding earnings.

Full benefits are usually provided that include paid vacation, medical, vision, life and dental insurance, sick leave and a retirement program. Tuition reimbursement and child care benefits are also provided by some employers.

Job Responsibilities

The main responsibility of surgical technologists is to assist surgeons, registered nurses, anesthesiologists and other surgical personnel during surgical operations. Surgical technologists are often the first ones in the operating room setting out surgical instruments, sterile solutions and sterile drapes. They make sure that all equipment is working properly prior to surgery.

Also before surgery, surgical technologists prepare the patient for surgery by washing, shaving and disinfecting the areas where incisions will take place. They then transport the patient to the operating room and get them in position for the surgery.

While the surgery is being performed, surgical technologists pass surgical instruments and other supplies to the surgeons and their assistants. They may also operate lights, sterilizers, suction machines and diagnostic equipment during the surgery.

Job Outlook

The profession is expected to grow by 25 percent between 2008 and 2018. This is a much higher rate than most occupations. This is largely because the number of required surgeries is constantly growing. As new procedures and surgeries continue to appear, the need for qualified surgical technologists will continue to increase. Because this job is high in demand and the surgical technologist salary is solid, pursuing a career in this field is a great option.

Salary negotiations after receiving a job offer can be a sensitive and delicate time, and in this article, we’ll discuss a few basic tactics for negotiating the surgical tech salary when you’ve been presented with a firm job offer.

Know What You Want

The main reason that most salary negotiations fails is due to a lack of concrete planning on the part of the job candidate. Most career coaches advise having a specific salary amount in mind if you plan to negotiate a salary offer slightly upward.

Do Your Homework

You also need to have a firm idea of what the median surgical tech salary is in your area for a comparable position and employment setting. By using sites like Salary.com, you can locate specific pay details for surgical techs in your state and city. With this data in hand, you can make a better presentation for your case based on what similar employers are paying in the area in which you live.

Be Reasonable

Don’t go to the negotiating table expecting to ask the employer to raise the salary offer by 25%. The chances are good that if they offered you a specific wage, they are only going to be able to deviate slightly from that amount. Shoot for a single digit percentage increase if you plan to ask for a higher base salary. Your reputation is on the line here and you don’t want to come across to a potential employer as money hungry with no interest in patient care.

Keep it Professional

When negotiating salary, you need to maintain professional and positive demeanor at all times. It’s never a good idea to let a prospective employer know that you plan to walk away from an offer if the salary changes for the better. You also want to stay away from inferring that you’ve received better, more attractive offers. If you do this, then the chances are good that the employer may call your bluff and recommend that you take the higher offer. Again, your reputation is at stake here and if you do take the offer, you don’t want to come into your first day of employment with a track record of being hard to work with even before you’ve taken the job.

If you plan to negotiate a surgical tech salary job offer, stick to these recommendations and you may walk away with more pay then you were originally offered.

Thank you for visiting the Surgical Tech Salary and Career Center! Our mission is to provide you with many valuable resources to assist you in preparing for an exciting career as a surgical technologist. This profession can be one of the most challenging and rewarding in the health care industry.

The career outlook the surgical tech over the next decade looks outstanding and there has never been a better time to prepare for entry into the profession. Jobs for surgical techs are expected to expand much faster than average for all other professions, reaching an anticipated 25% growth rate over the next few years according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. As a large percentage of our population ages over the next decade, the number of surgical procedures being performed in health care facilities throughout the country will reach unprecedented levels, leading to an ever-increasing number of employment opportunities for the surgical tech.

The career will experience job growth in many different health care environments as well, including hospitals, private practices, ambulatory centers, and outpatient treatment facilities. While the largest number of surgical techs will continue to find employment in hospital operating and delivery rooms, advanced medical specializations will lead to an increased demand for technologists in many other areas within the health care industry.

The surgical tech salary outlook is very positive as well. Along with the job growth we expect to see within the industry, median pay levels should continue to grow faster than average. Currently, the surgical tech salary varies widely by the state as well as the employment setting, however, the median earnings are right at $38,740 across all employers and locations. The surgical tech salary can increase dramatically if you choose the specialize in a certain area of patient treatment.

Again, if you’re considering a rewarding career as a surgical tech, now is a great time to get started on the path in this profession. With very attractive salary and employment prospects, you’ll have a great chance of creating a long-term career which will keep you fulfilled for years to come. We hope that you find this site a valuable resource to assist you in preparing for your own career as a surgical technologist.

One of the fastest growing careers available in the health field in 2011 is that of a surgical tech and the employment prospects and surgical tech salary will both increase in coming years. The surgical tech prepares the OR for surgeries, prepare and take patients to the surgery operating room and fix equipment and lights for optimal conditions. Additionally, they will pass instruments and supplies to the surgeons, cut the sutures and hold the retractors. For all of these duties, the surgical tech salary can range between $25,000 and $50,000 per year.

With an almost 25% growth rate, the aspiring surgical tech can expect an excellent job rate in the coming years. The surgical tech salary will average out at around $35,000/per yer, but you can expect to receive advancement, promotions and increased pay with extra training and certifications. Additional considerations that can affect the surgical tech salary is where you work. For example, states like New York, Florida and California will typically pay higher salaries than states like Oklahoma, Virginia and South Carolina.

The trends are spiking where the surgical tech salary is concerned. The starting salary, which tends to start around $24,000 can hit as high as the mid 50s without any extra training. With the growing elderly population, the demand, salaries and job opportunities are expected only to rise. As the next six years approach, the need is expected to rise by approximately 25%.

If you’re looking for a position as a surgical tech, you can expect most of the higher paying positions to be found in hospitals. However, opportunities will also exist in other areas such as outpatient care centers, doctor’s offices, and surgical centers. In many cases, the newcomer to the field will start in a smaller arena and move up to the higher payer positions in the hospitals.

The job outlook is promising and expected only to get better. It’s an excellent career choice for the individual who is intelligent, but might not have a degree. While they’re preferred, a college degree is not required for this position. It’s a great entry level position into the medical field and offers a great opportunity for advancement. The surgical tech salary offers room to grow and a good starting position.

If you are interested in becoming a surgical tech, then it helps to know what to expect in terms of schooling and training to get you on your way to earning a surgical tech salary. Amazingly, you don’t need a four year college degree in order to become one. You do need to have graduated high school or have a GED and completed a Surgical Technologist program, however. There are quite a few options for getting certified through a surgical tech program, whether you want to do it at an actual place or online from the comfort of your own home. Ideally though, you want to make sure the program is accredited first.

Applying to surgical tech certification programs is similar to most other programs. Ideally, you will have taken the SAT and have scores on hand, and you should also fill out applications for FAFSA as well. You can apply to each individual program you are considering, or use a common application to save time. The latter works because most programs need the exact same information from you. The tuition fees for the programs will vary wildly, from as low as $6000 to as high as $22000 depending on where you want to go. Obviously, the financial aid you are eligible for will play a big role in where you can attend.

The classes you can expect in a surgical tech program include learning the methods and tools used for surgical operations. You will learn about pharmacology, biology, microbiology, physiology, and anatomy. You will learn the history of surgical technicians and medicine and the ethics of medicine as well. There are also hands on classes where you will get to participate in mock surgeries. Later in the programs, you might get to train in actual operating rooms. Overall, you will get very in depth training that will make you invaluable to any hospital or physician’s office.

One of the main benefits of the top programs is the fact that they offer job placement help. This is important, as getting any kind of job is very competitive these days. Overall, you are going to find that the average surgical tech salary is very high considering how quickly you can get certified and start working.

Becoming a surgical tech means that you are a member of an operating room team. It’s a well paying career choice that yields a decent surgical tech salary. Before surgery takes place, a surgical tech prepares the surgical equipment and instruments that the surgeon will need for operating on patients. They also set up the surgical drapes and sterile solutions. Techs are responsible for making sure that everything is in proper working order for surgery. In addition to setting up the operating room equipment, the surgical tech prepares the patient for their operation by washing and shaving them. They also disinfect the incision area so that it is ready for the surgeon, and transport the patient to the assigned OR room.

When the patient is in surgery, the tech is the one who hands the instruments to the surgeon. A surgical tech assists with counting the supplies and may even cut sutures for the doctor as needed. When a situation calls for an specimen to be further evaluated, a surgical tech may be the one who delivers it to the lab, and disposes of it after the doctor has finished with it. The tech receives a generous surgical tech salary for his job, for a very good reason.

After surgery has been completed, the tech attends to the job of restocking supplies in the operating room. They may also be the one who transfers the patient to the recovery area when their operation is over. A surgical tech salary is well earned, as they stand on their feet for long hours and must be alert to everything going on in the operating room. They usually work 40 hours in a week, although they may be on call or rotate schedules during holidays and weekends, or evenings as needed.

The job of a surgical tech is a rewarding one. Helping doctors attend to injured and ailing patients can provide satisfaction, and make the tech feel needed as well. It is a demanding career and the surgical tech salary reflects the fact that they work hard at their job. The surgical tech salary is based upon their education and experience level and there is plenty of room for advancement.

If like many, you’ve discovered that you want to earn a surgical tech salary and enter one of the fastest growing areas of the medical industry, it’s time you did the research and discovered what it’s going to take for you to begin your career.

While a college degree is not necessary to enter the field, it is recommended. Additionally, by obtaining the necessary certification before trying to enter the field, you increase your starting surgical tech salary and boost your chances for advancement. Moreover, employing hospitals, surgical centers and doctor’s offices typically prefer to hire those who are already certified.

By taking a certified course, a surgical tech may get a voluntary certification from the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting. The courses must be CAAHEP accredited and you must pass a national examination for certification before you can receive your certificate. Upon passing, the applicant can use the Certified Surgical Technologist or CST designation on their resumes and in professional work. To keep their certification in order, the certified surgical tech must achieve 60 hours of pre-approved continuing education in a four year period or pass the certifying exam every four years.

It is also possible to achieve certification from the National Center for Competency Testing or the NCCT. In order to take this exam, the candidates may follow one of three roads. They can complete a training program that is accredited, sign up for a two-year on the job training program with a hospital or accumulate seven years of experience by working in the field. At the end of this time, there is still an exam to pass, but at that time, the applicant can use the designation Tech in Surgery-Certified or TS-C. This must be renewed every five years through re-examinations or taking continuing education classes.

The examination tests for certification typically cost around $300, all total. There are also practice tests you can pay to take that run around $40 each too. They’re well worth the cost though as you will know if you’re prepared for the real thing. Gaining the certification needed to work in this field will pay off well in your surgical tech salary and the job opportunities that are available to you.