Surgical Technicians assist surgeons and other medical professionals in hospital operating rooms and similar environments. Chiefly, they prepare patients, rooms and equipment for pending surgical procedures. They also assist during those procedures as part of a team of operating room professionals.

The annual median pay for a surgical tech was $45,160 or $21.71 per hour, as reported by the BLS in 2016. This salary exceeds the national median salary of $37,040 per year. You can make the most money working at a large surgery center or specialty clinic.

*Top 10% Annual Salary: More than $69,170 ($33.25/hour)

Education: You'll need an associate degree, diploma or certificate in surgical technology. Some vocational schools, colleges, and hospitals offer this training that can last from several months to two years. Programs consist of a combination of classroom education and clinical training. The Association of Surgical Technologists (AST), a widely recognized professional association, believes the associate degree is the preferred level of entry into the profession.