Surgical Technologists vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Surgical Technologistss by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surgical Technologistss land at $64,650 and Registered Nursess 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 Technologistss is Hawaii ($82,640); for Registered Nursess 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 Technologistss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $64,650 for Surgical Technologistss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Surgical Technologists or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Technologistss get paid the most?
Hawaii is the top-paying state for Surgical Technologistss 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 Technologistss earn $82,640 vs. $136,320 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.