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The differences between surgical first assistants and surgical technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgical first assistant has an average salary of $61,480, which is higher than the $52,193 average annual salary of a surgical technician.
The top three skills for a surgical first assistant include patients, visualization and patient care. The most important skills for a surgical technician are patients, surgical technologist, and surgical procedures.
| Surgical First Assistant | Surgical Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $61,480 | $52,193 |
| Hourly rate | $29.56 | $25.09 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 28,503 | 70,920 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 12 |
A surgical first assistant plays a vital role in a successful surgical procedure. They are primarily in charge of assisting surgeons, such as by arranging and handing over tools, holding open incisions, and dressing surgical wounds. They also perform tasks such as helping patients prepare for surgeries, transporting patients to different rooms, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, it is essential to implement the safety protocols and measures before, during, and after surgeries for a safe and successful outcome.
A Surgical Technician is an essential member of a medical operating team. They serve as an additional hand of a surgeon. Surgical Technicians have the vital responsibility of assisting surgeons during operations, such as passing and providing instruments and tools such as Graspers, Clasps, Suction, and more. Furthermore, Surgical Technicians are also responsible for preparing all of the required surgical devices and instruments, making sure they are all up to the standards of hospital and medical regulations. And post-surgery, their duties include applying bandages to a patient and even cleaning the operating room.
Surgical first assistants and surgical technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Surgical First Assistant | Surgical Technician | |
| Average salary | $61,480 | $52,193 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $92,000 | Between $35,000 And $77,000 |
| Highest paying City | McAllen, TX | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | California |
| Best paying company | Favorite Healthcare Staffing | St. Tammany Health System |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a surgical first assistant and a surgical technician in terms of educational background:
| Surgical First Assistant | Surgical Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 31% | Associate Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Connecticut |
Here are the differences between surgical first assistants' and surgical technicians' demographics:
| Surgical First Assistant | Surgical Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 9.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | 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% |