Surgical Technologists vs Licensed Practical Nurses
Median pay is about the same for both. Both usually start with the same education: postsecondary cert.
marks the higher pay or growth. Education, difficulty and the AI rows depend on what you want, so they are not marked.
| Measure | Surgical Technologists | Licensed Practical Nurses |
|---|---|---|
| Pay | ||
| Median pay | $64,650, higher | $64,400 |
| Entry pay 25th percentile | $54,690 | $59,000, higher |
| Experienced pay 75th percentile | $79,750, higher | $76,030 |
| Outlook, 2025 to 2035 | ||
| Projected growth | +5.0% Growing fast, higher | +3.0% Growing |
| Openings a year | 7,100 | 51,800 |
| Getting in | ||
| Typical education | Postsecondary cert | Postsecondary cert |
| Difficulty modeled | 2.8 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 |
| AI | ||
| Displacement risk modeled | Low | Very low |
| AI exposure modeled, percentile | 3rd pct | 6th pct |
Skills
Both lean on the same top skills: monitoring, active listening, speaking, critical thinking, reading comprehension, active learning.
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Pay and outlook: BLS (OEWS 2025, Employment Projections 2025-2035). Skills: O*NET 30.3. Difficulty, displacement risk and AI exposure are modeled estimates. How these numbers are made.