Surgical Technologist
The Surgical Technology program at Swedish Institute takes your education one step further – with a clinical rotation where you will utilize your skills in a real hospital or surgical center setting.
- $81,990* NY Avg. Annual Wage
- 9th Highest-Paying Job^ Without a 4-Year Degree
- Can be completed in as few as 21 months†
Next classes start on January 19, 2027.
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Your Surgical Technology Career Starts Here
Surgical technologists are integral members of the operating room team — preparing the surgical environment, passing instruments, and maintaining sterile fields throughout every procedure. It's a role that demands precision, focus, and clinical skill.
At Swedish Institute, our 21-month Surgical Technology program takes your training one step further: in the final quarter, you'll complete a clinical rotation in a real hospital or surgical center in the NYC area. The program is accredited by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs) and delivered in a hybrid format — lecture courses are offered online while hands-on training and clinical rotations take place in person at our Manhattan campus.
Additionally, all students in our on-campus programs receive an iPad to aid them in their studies.
The Surgical Technology program at Swedish Institute prepares you to work as a skilled member of the surgical team — from pre-op setup through post-op breakdown. Over 21 months and 94.5 credits, you'll develop the technical knowledge, clinical judgment, and hands-on proficiency that surgical employers require.
What Does a Surgical Technologist Do?
Surgical technologists — also called operating room technicians — work alongside surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nurses during surgical procedures. Their responsibilities include:
- Preparing the operating room with required instruments, equipment, and sterile supplies
- Scrubbing in and maintaining the sterile field throughout procedures
- Passing instruments and supplies to the surgical team during operations
- Anticipating the surgeon’s needs and responding quickly during procedures
- Counting sponges, needles, and instruments before and after surgery
- Cleaning and restocking the operating room after procedures
Surgical Technologists in the 2026 US News and World Report Jobs Rankings
- #9 in Highest-Paying Jobs Without a 4-Year Degree
- #20 in Best Jobs Without a 4-Year Degree
- #34 in Best Health Care Jobs
- #92 in Best Jobs
Education on Your Time
The Surgical Technology program at Swedish Institute is delivered in a hybrid format — lecture courses are completed online so you can fit coursework around your schedule, while hands-on lab training and the final-quarter clinical rotation take place in person at our Manhattan campus. This flexible structure lets you pursue a healthcare career without putting the rest of your life on hold.
With training from Swedish Institute, graduates of our Surgical Technology program are prepared for early employment in a variety of settings, such as:
Tuition & Financial Aid
Paying for surgical technology training doesn't have to be overwhelming. Swedish Institute offers financial aid and scholarship opportunities for eligible students so you can focus on your education. Our financial aid team will walk you through tuition, payment options, and the financial aid process every step of the way.
Explore our scholarships, financial aid resources, and application process to get started. You can also use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition.
What Our Graduates Say
Swedish institute changed my life! The staff is very supportive and personally cares about your success. They always went the extra mile! The surgical tech program changed my whole life's trajectory and career path. In two short years, I have worked my way up from being a barber to orthopedic surgery and now Neurosurgery. All with the opportunity that Swedish gave me. So thanks for the life upgrade Swedish and staff!
Swedish Institute definitely helped me immensely. Before I started coming here, I was very unsure of what to do and if I'd be able to get a job. And through Swedish, they helped me greatly. Without them, I don't know if I would have found a job and got all the experience I did. And even now, even though I already have a job, they're still helping me further my career and expand into hospitals and learn more specialties. So I'm very thankful for Swedish.
Frequently Asked Questions
- † Applies to full-time students only.
- * Salary Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics Query System. Information is for Surgical Technologists in New York State. Data from May 2025. https://data.bls.gov/oes/#/home. Site visited 6/8/2026.
- ^ Information from the US News and World Report Rankings from 2026. Information subject to change. Find the full lists on the US News and World Report website. Site visited 3/31/2026.
- National long-term projections and salary averages may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual growth or any particular salary. Swedish Institute does not guarantee employment. Swedish Institute cannot guarantee a student’s eligibility either to take any exam or become certified, registered, or licensed.
- Swedish Institute’s programs are registered by the New York State Education Department. Accredited by ACCSC. Accredited by CAAHEP. For important information on program costs, completion and placement rates, median debt incurred, etc., please visit: http://www.swedishinstitute.edu/student-consumer-information.
- Some content on this website was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.