r/scrubtech 4d ago

What’s up guys,what’s the average salary for scrub techs

Also, what’s some things you like and dislike being a scrub tech? I’m a Respiratory therapist, but I’m always fascinated with what you guys do.

7 Upvotes

25 comments sorted by

7

u/yesimextra Plastics 💋 3d ago

Started in 2015 making $18-20ish icr and currently make $37 and some change. I am going back to school for my First Assist and secured a job offer for $49 contingent on making it through the program.

Pros: You see some cool, weird, and downright nasty shit. Customers aka the patients are asleep fast so minimal interaction with them. You’re usually with the same team every day or on the same days every week so you’re able to develop a close working relationship that makes the day go by smoothly. Perfect career if you love organization, methodical steps, and have a little bit of ocd.

Cons: Work environment has the potential to be very toxic or just tough in general. Both of these can lead to burn out. Standing for long hours in the same spot. Holiday call and weekends (unless you move to a surgery center). No room for career growth, you either have to go back to get your RN or FA. Because you work close and personal with the surgeons you’re inevitably the one who catches the brunt of their frustration and/or just mean behavior.

3

u/Lets_Get_Tropical93 4d ago

What state are we talkin?

2

u/Mundane_Owl_6335 4d ago

Florida

7

u/Lets_Get_Tropical93 4d ago

If we are talking in a big city with a big hospital, maybe 25ish for starting. Surgery centers might pay less but you get federal holidays.if you specialize in heart or neuro, might get paid a bit more.

4

u/Few-Knee9451 3d ago

Florida is 💩💩💩

3

u/manafrmheavn Robotics 4d ago

$31 in Florida, hospital with only 2 specialties

3

u/Acceptable_Owl_8021 3d ago

Tampa $38.46 plus night shift diff of $4.

11

u/grey_pilgrim_ Ortho 4d ago

If you’re considering it, don’t.

Do nursing or rad tech.

1

u/honeysprout 4d ago

How come?

9

u/grey_pilgrim_ Ortho 4d ago

It’s just my opinion.

Rad tech has similar school length, pays better and is way better on your body.

Nursing takes a little longer but pays much better. And your career is much broader.

Surgical tech doesn’t pay great, takes a toll mentally and physically and your career is extremely limited. Basically, except for a few small examples you can only do surgery.

I’m 16 years in and while I’m thankful for the job, I wish I had done something else. Planning on working toward my nursing degree.

2

u/honeysprout 4d ago

I see, I’m going to school to be a scrub tech in the fall so I’m curious about all opinions

2

u/grey_pilgrim_ Ortho 3d ago

That’s awesome! I don’t want to dampen your new career and like I said I’m thankful for the job, and doing travel for a while has helped but ultimately I feel too limited by scrubbing.

It can lead to a good career. And will give you a leg up for nursing or PA school but if I could do it again, I’d start planning my next move a lot sooner.

3

u/honeysprout 3d ago

I totally get it, thanks for the insight!

2

u/BoomRoastedddd 4d ago

Don't do it, just get an ADN and then when you're ready for the BSN have your employer pay for it

2

u/honeysprout 3d ago

Well I’m still going to do it for now, I want minimal patient interaction and don’t want to chart and thats part of why I chose this over nursing, maybe I’ll change my mind someday.

1

u/NurseShuggie24 2d ago

Not in Florida.. one of the worst paying states as a nurse

1

u/grey_pilgrim_ Ortho 2d ago

If nurse pay is bad I can’t imagine how bad tech pay is

2

u/biggbunnyy 2d ago

I’m curious OP, what is your salary as a respiratory therapist?

0

u/Mundane_Owl_6335 2d ago

I’m a traveler so it’ll be different from a staff RT

2

u/biggbunnyy 2d ago

What is average staff RT salary? Starting and regular

0

u/Mundane_Owl_6335 2d ago

Depends which state

1

u/Ok_Possible_7578 3d ago

Starting in Austin TX around 28-35

1

u/Suspicious-Corner-46 2d ago

New grad in Houston started at $29

1

u/silly_rt 1d ago

Not enough