How long does it take to become an operating room technician?
James Olson
Updated on April 09, 2026
It takes anywhere from 12 to 24 months (after graduating from high school) to become a surgical technologist. Many practicing surgical techs chose to obtain an associate’s degree from a community college or technical school.
How much do operating room techs make?
Operating Room Technician Salaries
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Halton Healthcare Operating Room Technician salaries – 1 salaries reported | $33/hr |
| Health Sciences Centre Operating Room Technician salaries – 1 salaries reported | $26/hr |
| Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Center Operating Room Technician salaries – 1 salaries reported | $27/hr |
What is the highest paying surgical Tech?
Best-Paying States for Surgical Technologists
- Alaska. $67,660.
- Nevada. $64,050.
- California. $62,510.
- District of Columbia. $60,740.
- Minnesota. $60,090.
Is surgical tech in high demand?
Job Outlook Employment of surgical technologists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. Advances in medical technology have made surgery safer, and more operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries.
Who cleans the operating room?
At the end of the day and after the last surgical procedure, the housekeeping crew will come back in and thoroughly disinfect the entire OR. They will move all standing equipment to clean the entire OR floor.
Is a scrub tech the same as a surgical tech?
Scrub technicians, also referred to as surgical technologists, assist surgeons in the operating room.
What do surgical techs do in the operating room?
Surgical techs assist the surgeon and other surgical staff by prepping patients for surgery, cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, preparing instruments, and ensuring proper procedures are followed by other operating room positions.
Do you have to go to surgical school to work in an operating room?
Attending surgical school isn’t the only way to work alongside surgeons. With excellent jobs in the surgical field available, your dream of working in an operating room is just a couple of years away!
What do you need to be a surgical tech?
As an integral part of the overall surgical team, surgical techs require many of the same skills found in great surgeons: dexterity, flexibility, attention to detail, and a strong medical background. Still, there are obviously key differences between surgical techs and surgeons, especially the length of education.
How much money does a surgical tech make?
Unlike 10+ years of training to become a surgeon, surgical technologist education can be completed in under two years. In spite of the lower surgical tech training requirements, the average surgical tech salary is more than $47,000 (thousands higher than the national median).
