Is a surgical technician demanding and have good pay?

Question

Is a surgical technican demanding? and how much pay? I heard you make 17 dollars per hour. But I never see any help wanted ads for it. So it demanding? I dont want to go to college for it and then not be able to find a job. I live by athens, ohio. Does anyone know what the work is like? My next choice was a LPN but I can't do needles so mark that out. Then it was x ray tech but thats 2 years. Just please tell me about surgical techician! Please!

Answer 1

The only part I can answer is the pay part.  I don't know how much they make, but if it is $17 an hour, most x-ray techs make more than that.  I know in my small community hospital the pay is about $18-20 an hour and at the bigger ones they start you out at $22/hr.

Answer 2

~first let me say that I am not a surg tech, but I work very closely with them at the hospital. Surg techs are in big demand. Go to all your local hospital websites and see what is available. I know that many are available at my hospital all the time. Yes, the pay is good, but there are many horror stories - example: if a surgery takes too long, and the tech has to use the bathroom, well then, too bad! I have heard of surg techs going in their pants! Doctors yell at you all the time! The pay is ok, but that should not be the leading factor in your career choice. There is a lot of stress in surgery. If you go for LPN your choices are more varied. Good luck to you in whatever you choose!~

Answer 3

I'm not sure that they are that much in demand as opposed to nurses.  I don't believe that there are too many surgical techs per hospital but I may be wrong :)  If wanting to get the training, please opt for the more affordable school such as county vo-tech school or community college as long as it's accredited within the industry.

General career info:  http://www.bls.gov/oco and can search 'surgical technologists' or such.