So you want to be a Surgical Technician : Blog #5: Work Atmosphere

Welcome back to "So you wannabe a surgeon" In this post we will be taking a look into the: Work
setting/conditions, pay ranges and employment outlook for a Surgical Technician.

Work setting/conditions:

When not in the operating room, surgical technologists work in clean, well-lighted, cool environments. In
the operating room, however, it can become warm under the surgical lights when wearing the sterile gown
and gloves. Technologists and other members of the surgical team must stand for long periods and remain
alert during operations.

In a typical work setting, surgical technologists:

Interpersonal relationships
Have a high level of social contact. They work closely with patients and medical staff.
Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of patients.
Are responsible for work outcomes.
Communicate with coworkers and patients daily by telephone or in person. They may occasionally write e-mails.
Work in a group or as part of a team.
Sometimes are placed in conflict situations in which patients might be unpleasant or angry

Physical work conditions

Always work indoors.
Always wear protective gloves, masks, and gowns during surgery. Protective attire protects
both patients and technologists from disease.
Are exposed to diseases and infections on a daily basis.
Always wear specialized protective attire in the operating room.
Are often exposed to contaminants, such as blood.
Are often exposed to hazardous conditions.
Are exposed to radiation on a weekly basis.
Are often exposed to hazardous equipment in the operating room.
Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable.
Work very near patients and doctors. They often work within inches of other people.
Nearly always wear a special uniform or lab coat.
Sometimes must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.

Work performance

Must be very exact or highly accurate in performing the job. Errors could seriously endanger patients' health.
Sometimes must repeat the same physical activities.
Make decisions on a weekly basis that strongly impact patients. They consult doctors for most

decisions.

Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor. This is
because they do many of the same tasks with each patient.
Often must meet strict deadlines, such as having the operating room ready on time.

Hours/travel

Generally have a set schedule each week.
May work part time or full time, but most work 40 hours a week.
May be on-call or work nights, weekends, or holidays on a rotating basis.

Pay ranges:

Most surgical technologists work full time. Surgical technologists employed in hospitals may work or be on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be required to work shifts lasting longer

than 8 hours.

Location	Pay Period
Location	Pay Period	10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
Washington	Hourly	$20.46	$22.72	$26.53	$30.29	$34.98
	Monthly	$3,546	$3,937	$4,598	$5,249	$6,062
	Yearly	$42,551	$47,270	$55,189	$62,996	$72,738
Bremerton-Silverdale	Hourly	$20.93	$22.67	$25.72	$30.24	$35.19
	Monthly	$3,627	$3,929	$4,457	$5,241	$6,098
	Yearly	$43,523	$47,169	$53,498	$62,885	$73,193
Clarkston-Lewiston	Hourly	$17.00	$19.76	$22.63	$26.77	$30.58
	Monthly	$2,946	$3,424	$3,922	$4,639	$5,300
	Yearly	$35,361	$41,093	$47,067	$55,695	$63,604
Kennewick-Richland	Hourly	$20.02	$22.30	$26.14	$29.44	$31.47
	Monthly	$3,469	$3,865	$4,530	$5,102	$5,454
	Yearly	$41,640	$46,379	$54,369	$61,234	$65,457
Mount Vernon-Anacortes	Hourly	$20.33	$22.05	$24.88	$28.45	$30.61
	Monthly	$3,523	$3,821	$4,312	$4,930	$5,305
	Yearly	$42,288	$45,852	$51,756	$59,158	$63,675
Olympia-Tumwater	Hourly	$20.72	$22.59	$25.92	$29.24	$31.40
	Monthly	$3,591	$3,915	$4,492	$5,067	$5,442
	Yearly	$43,098	$46,986	$53,923	$60,829	$65,315
Seattle-Bellevue-Everett	Hourly	$20.71	$23.28	$27.40	$31.60	$36.64
	Monthly	$3,589	$4,034	$4,748	$5,476	$6,350
	Yearly	$43,078	$48,424	$56,991	$65,730	$76,201
Spokane-Spokane Valley	Hourly	$20.96	$23.19	$26.75	$29.95	$32.41
	Monthly	$3,632	$4,019	$4,636	$5,190	$5,617
	Yearly	$43,594	$48,232	$55,655	$62,308	$67,421
Tacoma-Lakewood	Hourly	$21.02	$23.38	$26.83	$29.83	$32.16
	Monthly	$3,643	$4,052	$4,650	$5,170	$5,573
	Yearly	$43,726	$48,647	$55,817	$62,065	$66,895
Vancouver	Hourly	$19.46	$21.69	$25.38	$28.67	$30.63
	Monthly	$3,372	$3,759	$4,398	$4,969	$5,308
	Yearly	$40,475	$45,113	$52,779	$59,624	$63,715
Walla Walla	Hourly	$20.01	$21.37	$23.63	$27.38	$30.26
	Monthly	$3,468	$3,703	$4,095	$4,745	$5,244
	Yearly	$41,619	$44,445	$49,164	$56,951	$62,946
Wenatchee	Hourly	$16.79	$18.64	$22.45	$27.97	$35.24
	Monthly	$2,910	$3,230	$3,891	$4,847	$6,107
	Yearly	$34,926	$38,774	$46,693	$58,176	$73,305
Yakima	Hourly	$20.10	$21.56	$24.00	$27.72	$30.37
	Monthly	$3,483	$3,736	$4,159	$4,804	$5,263
	Yearly	$41,802	$44,850	$49,923	$57,660	$63,168
United States	Hourly	$15.25	$17.78	$21.71	$26.46	$31.16
	Monthly	$2,643	$3,081	$3,762	$4,586	$5,400
	Yearly	$31,720	$36,980	$45,160	$55,030	$64,800

Employment outlook:

Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 12 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the
average for all occupations.

Location	Current employment	Growth over 10 years
		This occupation	All occupations
Washington	2,091	26.4%	16.7%
Adams, Chelan, Douglas, Grant, and Okanogan Counties	77	36.4%	15.3%
Asotin, Columbia, Ferry, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Walla Walla, and Whitman Counties	40	27.5%	13.5%
Benton and Franklin Counties	57	29.8%	17.7%
Clallam, Jefferson, and Kitsap Counties	38	21.1%	13.3%
Clark, Cowlitz, and Wahkiakum Counties	110	26.4%	17.1%
Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston Counties	118	28.0%	15.6%
Island, San Juan, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties	71	31.0%	15.2%
King County	856	25.4%	18.4%
Kittitas, Klickitat, Skamania, and Yakima Counties	76	27.6%	13.4%