How to become a Surgical Assistant
Official title: Surgical Assistants
Also called: Certified Surgical Technician (Certified Surgical Tech), CRNFA (Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant), CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant), CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant), GI Technician (Gastrointestinal Technician), RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assistant), Scrub Technician (Scrub Tech), Surgical First Assistant, Surgical Scrub Technician (Surgical Scrub Tech), Surgical Technician (Surgical Tech)
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.
Main tasks
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
- Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
- Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
- Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
How to become one
Surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or an associate's degree. Employers may require or prefer that workers have certification. Some states regulate these workers.
Typical education to start: Postsecondary nondegree award
Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Ways in
- Certificate or associate's degree: Postsecondary nondegree award. Programs such as Surgical Technology/Technologist
- Licence: A licence is required in 39 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $66,800 a year The middle half earn $50,170 to $88,010.
- About 24,400 people work in this job now, and about 25,900 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How do I become a Surgical Assistant?
Surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or an associate's degree. Employers may require or prefer that workers have certification. Some states regulate these workers.
How much does a Surgical Assistant earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $66,800 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $50,170 to $88,010.
Is a Surgical Assistant a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 24,400 to about 25,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Surgical Assistant?
Usually. 73% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Surgical Assistant?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.