Medical Assistant vs Surgical Technologist: which pays more?
Surgical Technologists earn about $20,000 more per year than medical assistants — roughly 48% higher at the national median. Here is how the two careers compare on pay, training, and outlook.
Medical Assistant
$42,000
median per year
Medical assistants complete administrative and clinical tasks in hospitals, doctors' offices, and other healthcare facilities.
Full medical assistant salary data →Surgical Technologist
$62,000
median per year
Surgical technologists prepare operating rooms and assist surgeons during procedures.
Full surgical technologist salary data →Side-by-side breakdown
| Metric | Medical Assistant | Surgical Technologist |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $42,000 | $62,000 |
| Median hourly pay | $20 | $30 |
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $32,000 | $46,000 |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | $52,000 | $82,000 |
| Education required | Postsecondary certificate; some states require certification. | Certificate or associate degree in surgical technology. |
| Job outlook | 15% growth through 2033 — much faster than average. | 6% growth through 2033 — surgical volume keeps growing. |
Pay by state
| State | Medical Assistant | Surgical Technologist | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $52,000 | $69,500 | −$17,500 for Surgical Technologist |
| California | $48,000 | $73,000 | −$25,000 for Surgical Technologist |
| Massachusetts | $46,000 | $70,000 | −$24,000 for Surgical Technologist |
| New York | $42,000 | $70,500 | −$28,500 for Surgical Technologist |
| Pennsylvania | $39,000 | $61,000 | −$22,000 for Surgical Technologist |
| Texas | $38,000 | $60,000 | −$22,000 for Surgical Technologist |
| Florida | $38,000 | $57,000 | −$19,000 for Surgical Technologist |
| Ohio | $37,000 | $58,500 | −$21,500 for Surgical Technologist |
Which career should you choose?
Pay is only one part of the decision. Surgical Technologists earn more on paper, but certificate or associate degree in surgical technology. takes longer and costs more than postsecondary certificate; some states require certification.. If you want to start earning sooner, medical assistant is usually the faster route. If long-term earning ceiling matters most, surgical technologist tops out at $82,000 versus $52,000.
Job security also differs: medical assistant outlook is "15% growth through 2033 — much faster than average." while surgical technologist outlook is "6% growth through 2033 — surgical volume keeps growing."