Career Paths From Surgical Technologists

Possible next moves, computed from skill overlap, O*NET occupational relatedness, preparation level, education, and pay — not a record of people who actually made these moves.

Diagnostic Medical SonographersLateral Move89.3% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Diagnostic Medical Sonographers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Diagnostic Medical Sonographers sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 49% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$96,590
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Respiratory TherapistsLateral Move91.2% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Respiratory Therapists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Respiratory Therapists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 27% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$82,280
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Nuclear Medicine TechnologistsLateral Move88.8% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Nuclear Medicine Technologists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Nuclear Medicine Technologists sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 57% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$101,370
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Nurse AnesthetistsAdvancement90.7% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Nurse Anesthetists share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Nurse Anesthetists is typically a step up, requiring more preparation and paying more. Job Zone is higher (5 vs 3). Median salary is about 266% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$236,590
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
5
Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansLateral Move92.5% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Veterinary Technologists and Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (93% match). Veterinary Technologists and Technicians sits at a similar preparation level, so this would be more of a lateral move. Median salary is about 27% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$47,380
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
FirefightersCareer Change90% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Firefighters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Firefighters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 8% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$59,280
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersCareer Change89.9% skill match
Surgical Technologists and First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 24% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$79,920
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Chemical TechniciansCareer Change89.3% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Chemical Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Chemical Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 7% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$60,390
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersCareer Change89.3% skill match
Surgical Technologists and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Median salary is about 15% higher.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$74,450
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
3
Motorboat OperatorsCareer Change87.9% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Motorboat Operators share a similar Transferable Skills profile (88% match). Motorboat Operators is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 26% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$47,520
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, VegetationCareer Change89.8% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation share a similar Transferable Skills profile (90% match). Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 28% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$46,340
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Pest Control WorkersCareer Change91.4% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Pest Control Workers share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Pest Control Workers is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 30% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$45,250
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
CarpentersCareer Change91.5% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Carpenters share a similar Transferable Skills profile (91% match). Carpenters is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 6% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$60,580
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Dental Laboratory TechniciansCareer Change88.9% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Dental Laboratory Technicians share a similar Transferable Skills profile (89% match). Dental Laboratory Technicians is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 23% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$49,610
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2
Brickmasons and BlockmasonsCareer Change94.3% skill match
Surgical Technologists and Brickmasons and Blockmasons share a similar Transferable Skills profile (94% match). Brickmasons and Blockmasons is in a different occupational field, but draws on much of the same underlying skill set. Job Zone is lower (2 vs 3). Median salary is about 4% lower.
Current median salary
$64,650
Target median salary
$62,120
Current Job Zone
3
Target Job Zone
2

Computed from O*NET Transferable Skills, occupational relatedness and Job Zone data, plus BLS wage and projections data. Categories (Advancement / Lateral Move / Career Change) are derived algorithmically, not self-reported career histories.