Wouldn’t it be nice to know what’s coming five years down the road? It would help us make decisions, be prepared, and know what to expect. Although we can’t know exactly what to expect in terms of an individual job, career projections give us valuable information about what’s to come in a particular field.
Growth
When considering the surgical tech market, it’s helpful to look at benchmarks that offer insight into growth in the surgical field overall. The global surgical equipment market is expected to see a 7.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2024; as a result, the market is expected to reach $16.9 billion by that year. This is relevant because it points to growth for fields that deal with surgical equipment.
Surgical technology is one of those fields. Surgical techs are members of the operating room team, and the field is growing fast. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, expected growth in the field is 12% between 2016 and 2026. This growth is faster than average for all occupations. That’s good news for surgical techs, as well as for people who are considering entering this field.
Reasons for Growth
Why is this field growing at this rate? Since older patients tend to require more operations, the demand for routine surgery is expected to rise as baby boomers retire. And the baby boomer population is far more likely to undergo surgery than any generation before them. Clearly, age-related demographics explain a lot of this growth, but there’s more.
Consider how illnesses and injuries are treated now, compared with how they were treated in previous generations. More operations are being done to treat a variety of illnesses and injuries; also, advances in medical technology have made surgery safer. All of these factors also contribute to growth.
Impact for Surgical Techs
What does all of this mean in real life? With the employment growth projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, an estimated 12,600 jobs should open up from the period of 2016 through 2026. This is good news for people already in the field, as well as those who are considering this career.
Looking at this another way, stagnant or declining employment opportunities aren’t something you’ll have to worry about with a surgical technologist career. Choosing a career field can be challenging in many ways, and it’s very helpful to have some peace of mind, especially about job security. If you’re a surgical tech, you have that. If you’re considering becoming one, this may help you make your choice.
We Value You and the Work You Do
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. Surgical techs make a difference every day, and we’re grateful for that. If you’re a surgical tech—or thinking about becoming one—we’ll be here when you’re looking for your next assignment. We’re just a phone call away: 310.436.3650.
