Help surgeons during operations by preparing patients, passing instruments, and managing the surgical site.
Hospital and clinic operating rooms
Full time, some on-call
May 2024–25 BLS wage data · 2024–34 BLS employment projections.
Openings a year counts new jobs plus the ones that open when people retire or move on — a truer picture of your odds than growth alone.
“Median” means half earn more and half earn less. Your city, employer, and years on the job move it a lot — that is what the 10th-to-90th range shows.
Certificate program
Training path: Postsecondary surgical assistant program.
No state license in most places; certification such as CSA or CSFA is commonly expected.
Assists surgeons during operations, a step up from the surgical tech role in responsibility.
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Standard Occupational Classification 29-9093. Pay, employment, and outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS wage survey and 2024–34 employment projections). See something off? Tell us.