Surgical Technologists
SOC Code: 29-2055 Job Zone 3: Medium Preparation Needed
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Surgical Technologists. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $76,648 | $89,731 | $102,794 | $115,877 |
| Vallejo, CA | $75,046 | $87,360 | $99,674 | $111,987 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $72,322 | $84,906 | $97,510 | $110,094 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $72,613 | $84,843 | $97,094 | $109,325 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $68,661 | $81,640 | $94,640 | $107,619 |
| Bend, OR | $73,507 | $84,178 | $94,827 | $105,498 |
| Merced, CA | $64,418 | $77,646 | $90,896 | $104,125 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $67,205 | $79,123 | $91,042 | $102,960 |
| Napa, CA | $66,373 | $78,374 | $90,397 | $102,398 |
| Yuba City, CA | $66,477 | $77,646 | $88,837 | $100,006 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Monitoring | 3.8 | |
| Active Listening | 3.4 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.2 | |
| Time Management | 3.1 | |
| Critical Thinking | 3.1 | |
| Coordination | 3.1 | |
| Speaking | 3.1 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.0 | |
| Equipment Maintenance | 3.0 | |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Customer and Personal Service | 3.7 |
| Medicine and Dentistry | 3.7 |
| English Language | 3.5 |
| Education and Training | 3.1 |
| Psychology | 2.9 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.9 |
| Biology | 2.8 |
| Mathematics | 2.7 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| Associate's degree | 40.6% |
| Some college | 31.2% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 23.2% |
| High school diploma | 5.0% |
Typical Tasks
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
- Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery.
- Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
MEDITECH software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Database software Electronic medical record EMR software Email software Google Drive Graphics software Internet browser software Nursing documentation software Patient scheduling software Patient tracking software Supply documentation software
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