First assistant vs scrub technician

The differences between first assistants and scrub technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a first assistant has an average salary of $52,444, which is higher than the $38,718 average annual salary of a scrub technician.

The top three skills for a first assistant include patients, patient care and surgical procedures. The most important skills for a scrub technician are patients, BLS, and surgical procedures.

First assistant vs scrub technician overview

	First Assistant	Scrub Technician
Yearly salary	$52,444	$38,718
Hourly rate	$25.21	$18.61
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	3,202	71,220
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Associate Degree, 43%
Average age	43	41
Years of experience	-	12

What does a first assistant do?

First assistants to surgeons are in charge of assisting surgeons in the smooth execution of the operation's procedure and completion. They are the ones who will prepare the patient for surgeries, hand surgeons the needed tools, hold incisions open so that surgeons can easily perform the operation, transport patients to their rooms, and maintain the cleanliness of the operating room. They must also be able to withstand long hours of standing to complete surgical operations and agility to rush in case of emergencies.

What does a scrub technician do?

Scrub technicians are surgical technologists who are responsible for assisting surgeons and the surgical team in the operating room. These technicians must set out and sterilize the necessary instruments while helping each member of the surgical team put on their gloves and gowns during a surgical procedure. They are required to pass instruments, sponges, and dressings to the surgeon throughout the procedure. Scrub technicians must also ensure that the operating room and reusable instruments are clean before and after each surgery.

First assistant vs scrub technician salary

First assistants and scrub technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	First Assistant	Scrub Technician
Average salary	$52,444	$38,718
Salary range	Between $37,000 And $73,000	Between $30,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	White Plains, NY
Highest paying state	-	Oregon
Best paying company	-	Lawrence General Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between first assistant and scrub technician education

There are a few differences between a first assistant and a scrub technician in terms of educational background:

	First Assistant	Scrub Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 53%	Associate Degree, 43%
Most common major	Nursing	Medical Technician
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Connecticut

First assistant vs scrub technician demographics

Here are the differences between first assistants' and scrub technicians' demographics:

	First Assistant	Scrub Technician
Average age	43	41
Gender ratio	Male, 44.5% Female, 55.5%	Male, 20.5% Female, 79.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 9.4% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 4.8% White, 63.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	10%	13%

Differences between first assistant and scrub technician duties and responsibilities

First assistant example responsibilities.

Teach patients and family members how to manage their post operative home care needs, self-administration of medication and rehabilitation
Execute and monitor strategic merchandising plans to achieve revenue objectives and reduce expenditures while ensuring payroll remains within budget.
Obtain health history via phone prior to surgery and triage patients upon arrival to the ASC.
Insert Foley catheters and intravenous catheter, if need.
Assist in orthopedics, plastics, ENT, urology, gynecology and ortho-neuro cases.
Provide preventative maintenance ensuring vessel's compliance with USCG regulations, inspections, and certificates.

Scrub technician example responsibilities.

Manage sterilization of field during surgical procedures, ensuring cleanliness and sanitation meet organization protocol.
Perform EKG's, blood draws (PKUs) and bed baths.
Administer medications, perform EKG, venipuncture, and dressing changes.
Observe, ensure and provide sterility, safety and preventative measures of OSHA and other mandate regulations at each command.
Collaborate in a safe, efficient transfer of the patient from the operating room to PACU, ICU, and CCU.
Admit patients onto unit; gather and submit patient financial information.

First assistant vs scrub technician skills

Common first assistant skills

Patients, 24%
Patient Care, 16%
Surgical Procedures, 11%
Visualization, 6%
Suturing, 4%
CPR, 4%

Common scrub technician skills

Patients, 24%
BLS, 12%
Surgical Procedures, 8%
Aseptic Technique, 7%
CPR, 7%
Infection Control, 6%

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
First Assistant
First Assistant vs Scrub Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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