Also called: Army 68D, Air Force 4N1 Surgical Tech
Surgical technician who prepares the operating room and hands instruments to surgeons.
OR techs sterilize tools, set up trays, gown up, and anticipate the surgeon's next move during operations. On deployments, they work in tent hospitals. Civilian surgical technologists are needed everywhere.
Regular military compensation (RMC = base pay + housing and food allowances + their tax advantage) for typical E-1 to E-6 ranks, 2026 estimate. Cash in hand is lower early on because junior troops often live in free barracks and eat in dining halls. Enlistment bonuses can add thousands.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0.5 years after high school. High school diploma, then ~5-6 months of training. Free-college benefits: Tuition Assistance (up to $4,500/yr) while serving, the Post-9/11 GI Bill (36 months of tuition + housing stipend) afterward, and SkillBridge internships before separating.
Ways in: Military, On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Majors to look at: Surgical Technology (associate), Nursing.
Growing about average. Military specialties are not in BLS projections. The services recruit for this job every year and openings track force size and retention rather than market growth.
Low risk for 10 years. Robots assist surgery, but sterilizing, setting up and passing instruments stay human.
Classes: Anatomy & physiology, Biology, Health science CTE.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.