Surgical assistants
SOC Code: 29-9093
Surgical assistants carries a 30% AI exposure score (Medium automation risk), with a median annual wage of $60,290 and +5.1% projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034 (BLS), affecting approximately 25,300 workers. Full task breakdown, skills, and employer data are below.
Proportion of tasks susceptible to AI automation (O*NET analysis)
AI Exposure vs Industry Growth
Total occupations tracked
832
Covering all SOC major groups
Data currency
2024
BLS Employment Projections
AI exposure avg
40%
Fleet-wide median across all roles
Composite score weighing O*NET task data completeness, BLS projection methodology, and cross-validation with employer risk grades.
Employment Projections
Occupation Insight
Surgical assistants (SOC 29-9093) carries an AI exposure score of 30%, placing it in the Medium automation-risk tier. This score is computed from O*NET Database 30.0 task-level analysis, where each task an occupation performs is evaluated against current generative AI, robotic process automation, and machine-learning capabilities. A score below 40% reflects tasks anchored in physical dexterity, unstructured environments, or high-touch human interaction that current AI cannot reliably replicate.
The economic context matters alongside the risk score. BLS counted approximately 25,300 workers in this occupation in 2024, and projects a +5.1% change through 2034 — modest growth that keeps the occupation viable even as tasks evolve. Median annual compensation stands at $60,290, reflecting both skill scarcity and the value employers place on the tasks that remain difficult to automate. Entry typically requires Postsecondary nondegree award, plus None of related experience.
For career planners, this profile should be read alongside the task, skill, and knowledge breakdowns below and the list of employers whose workforce composition includes Surgical assistants. Adjacent occupations shown further down offer lateral moves that preserve industry knowledge while potentially reducing exposure. Pair the AI exposure score with the BLS employment projection and wage percentiles above for a complete career assessment.
Education & Entry Requirements
Top Tasks (O*NET)
- 1. Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- 2. Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- 3. Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- 4. Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- 5. Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- 6. Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
- 7. Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
- 8. Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
- 9. Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
- 10. Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
Key Skills Required
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Complex Problem Solving
- Operations Monitoring
- Writing
Knowledge Areas
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Biology
- Education and Training
- Computers and Electronics
- Public Safety and Security
- Psychology
- Therapy and Counseling
- Mechanical
Frequently Asked Questions
Will AI replace Surgical assistants?
Surgical assistants has an AI exposure score of 30%, indicating a medium level of automation risk. The majority of tasks in this role require human judgment, creativity, or physical presence that AI cannot easily replicate.
What is the job outlook for Surgical assistants?
According to BLS Employment Projections 2024-2034, Surgical assistants is projected to grow by 5.1% over the decade. Current employment stands at approximately 25,300 workers.
What skills are needed for Surgical assistants?
Key skills for Surgical assistants include Active Listening, Speaking, Reading Comprehension, and others. Typical entry-level education is Postsecondary nondegree award.
How much do Surgical assistants earn?
The median annual wage for Surgical assistants is $60,290, according to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Actual earnings vary by location, experience, industry, and employer. The BLS publishes detailed wage percentiles by region in its Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics program.
What education is required for Surgical assistants?
The typical entry-level education for Surgical assistants is Postsecondary nondegree award. Employers generally expect None of related work experience. On-the-job training typically involves None. Requirements can vary by employer and specialization.
Which companies employ Surgical assistants?
Surgical assistants roles exist across many industries and employers. Workforce composition is estimated from BLS industry-occupation employment distributions matched to SEC-registered public companies.
AI Exposure Rating
Medium automation risk based on 10 analyzed tasks. Most tasks require human judgment and are resistant to automation.
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Data sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Projections 2024–2034 and O*NET Database 30.0. Employment figures are rounded. Wage data from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics (OES).