1. Surgical Technologist — $50K – $68K
Surgical Technologist tops this countdown on pay, though it stretches the definition of a short program — accredited surgical tech programs typically run 12 to 24 months and lead to an associate degree or a diploma. Employers strongly prefer graduates of programs accredited by CAAHEP, and hospital OR hiring is consistent year-round.
The National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting offers the Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential, and the National Center for Competency Testing offers the Tech in Surgery – Certified (TS-C). Hospitals almost always require CST for OR floor positions and often reimburse the exam fee for new hires.
BLS OES puts the surgical technologist median around $58K, with a range of $50K to $68K depending on hospital type, specialty (cardiac, neuro, transplant), and shift. Call pay and on-call differentials add meaningfully to base income, and specialty surgical techs at academic centers often exceed the top of the range with experience.
For nurses and healthcare workers ready to explore these opportunities, checking current openings by state is the fastest way to see where demand — and pay — align right now.
