Skip to main content

Occupational Employment Statistics


DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

29-2055 Surgical Technologists



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 surgeon's assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments.

Geography Click link for Career Profile EmploymentEmp SE*Percentiles
Mean10th25thMedian75th90th
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,07070$34.46/hr$31.05/hr$32.05/hr$32.85/hr$39.06/hr$40.44/hr


IndustryOES Employment (Statewide)OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Professional and Business ServicesN/AN/A
Education and Health Services1,900$32.43/hr
 
Geography Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Northeast Balance of State 30$29.28/hrN/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA 40$26.77/hrN/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA 40$30.96/hrN/A
Southeast Balance of State 40$30.22/hrN/A
Southwest Balance of State 60$29.61/hrN/A
Southwest Minnesota 80$30.29/hr4.0%
St Cloud MN MSA 80$32.49/hrN/A
La Crosse WI-MN MSA 130$30.47/hrN/A
Northwest Balance of State 130$29.34/hrN/A
Duluth MN-WI MSA 140$29.98/hrN/A
Northwest Minnesota 140$29.51/hr5.9%
Fargo ND-MN MSA 160$25.44/hrN/A
Northeast Minnesota 160$29.98/hr7.5%
Central Minnesota 180$31.17/hr6.0%
Rochester MN MSA 240$33.16/hrN/A
Southeast Minnesota 270$33.16/hrN/A
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN 1,070$32.85/hr7.2%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA 1,150$32.86/hrN/A
Minnesota 1,900$32.43/hr6.4%


Occupations Click link for details EmploymentMedian WageProjections
% Change 2020-2030
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians 1,080$33.52/hr6.7%
Dental Assistants 5,890$30.56/hr7.2%
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 1,570$43.81/hr17.7%


  • Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
  • Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
  • Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
  • Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
  • Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
  • Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
  • Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
  • Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
  • Observe patients' vital signs to assess physical condition.
  • Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.