Contents
How much does a scrub tech make? The answer may surprise you. Scrub techs make a very good salary, and the job outlook is excellent.
Checkout this video:
Scrub Tech Basics
A scrub tech is responsible for maintaining the sterile environment in the operating room. They are also responsible for passing instruments and supplies to the surgeon during the surgery. Scrub techs usually work in hospitals or surgery centers. The median salary for a scrub tech is $37,000.
What is a scrub tech?
A scrub tech, also called a surgical technologist or operating room technician, is a medical professional who works alongside surgeons and other medical staff during surgery. Scrub techs prepare the operating room and surgical instruments for surgery, as well as assist surgeons during procedures. They also care for patients before and after surgery.
The median annual salary for scrub techs was $43,180 in May 2019, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The top 10 percent of earners made more than $61,010, while the bottom 10 percent earned less than $30,590. Scrub techs who are certified by the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) may earn higher salaries.
What are the duties of a scrub tech?
A scrub tech, also called a surgical technologist, is an integral member of the sterile processing department in any healthcare facility that performs surgical procedures. The sterile processing department is responsible for cleaning, decontaminating, sterilizing and distributing all of the instruments and supplies needed for surgery. Scrub techs work under the supervision of a registered nurse or a surgeon to ensure that everything needed for a successful surgery is prepared and ready to go before the patient is brought into the operating room.
Scrub techs are responsible for preparing the operating room for surgery by making sure that all of the instruments and supplies needed for the procedure are clean and ready to use. They also help to set up the operating room by setting up any necessary equipment and getting it ready for use. Once the patient is brought into the operating room, scrub techs will help to position them on the surgical table and then prepare them for surgery by doing things like clipping their hair and inserting any catheters or tubes that they may need.
During surgery, scrub techs will hand instruments and supplies to the surgeon as they are needed. They also may be responsible for irrigation, suctioning or other tasks as needed. Once surgery is over, scrub techs will help to clean up the operating room and get all of the instruments and supplies ready to be sterilized so that they can be used again in future surgeries.
Scrub Tech Salaries
The median annual wage for scrub techs was $37,110 in May 2019, which means that half of scrub techs made more than this amount and half made less. The lowest 10 percent made less than $25,510, and the highest 10 percent made more than $53,950.
How much does a scrub tech make?
The median annual wage for surgical technologists was $47,300 in May 2019. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $33,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $68,540.
What are the factors that affect scrub tech salaries?
There are a number of factors that affect scrub tech salaries, including experience, location, and employer.
Experience: Scrub techs with more experience tend to earn higher salaries than those with less experience.
Location: Scrub techs in certain parts of the country, such as New York or California, tend to earn more than those in other parts of the country.
Employer: Scrub techs who work for large hospitals or medical centers tend to earn more than those who work for smaller employers.
Scrub tech job Outlook
If you’re thinking about becoming a scrub tech, you’re probably wondering how much you can expect to earn. The answer may surprise you. Scrub techs make a very good living. In fact, the average scrub tech salary is over $50,000 per year. That’s far above the national average for all occupations.
What is the job outlook for scrub techs?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that jobs for surgical technologists will grow much faster than the average for all occupations between 2016 and 2026. An aging population will lead to an increased demand for surgical procedures, spurring the need for more surg techs. In addition, as health insurance becomes more accessible to Americans, people are increasingly undergoing elective surgeries and procedures that they may have postponed in the past.
What are the future trends for scrub techs?
The median pay for scrub techs as of May 2016 was $42,490 per year, or $20.45 per hour. The top 10 percent of earners made more than $58,490 per year, while the bottom 10 percent made less than $30,470 per year.
The job outlook for scrub techs is positive. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that employment for surgical technologists will grow by 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, which is faster than the average for all occupations. An aging population and advances in medical technology will lead to increased demand for surgical procedures, which in turn will require more scrub techs to assist surgeons and other operating room personnel.
