Does a surgical tech or nurse make more money?

On average, a surgical tech makes less money than a nurse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for surgical technologists was $50,640 in May 2019, while the median annual wage for registered nurses was $73,300. However, there is some overlap in the salary ranges for these two occupations. Some surgical techs may make more money than some nurses, depending on their experience, location, and employer.