Surgical Technologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Surgical Technologists by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surgical Technologists land at $64,650 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: surgical technologist programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Surgical Technologists is Hawaii ($82,640); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Surgical Technologists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Surgical Technologists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $64,650 for Surgical Technologists versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Surgical Technologists or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses has the better 10-year outlook at 4.9% projected growth, compared to 4.5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Surgical Technologists or Registered Nurses?
Surgical Technologists typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Surgical Technologists get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Surgical Technologists at $82,640/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Surgical Technologists vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Hawaii, Surgical Technologists earn $82,640 vs. $136,320 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.