68D MOS Operating Room Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Assists surgeons in the operating room by preparing surgical instruments, maintaining sterile fields, and handling specimens during surgical procedures.
CAREER PATHS
3
TOP SALARY
$70,000.00
AVG SALARY
$58,110.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Surgical Technologist
SOC 29-2055
$60,370.00
median/yr
Surgical First Assistant
SOC 29-2055
$70,000.00
median/yr
Central Sterile Processing Tech
SOC 29-2012
$43,960.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 68D Operating Room Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 68D service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Operating Room Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Combat, trauma, or high-stress duty can cause lasting symptoms.
See how it is rated →Long hours on your feet in boots inflame the heel/arch.
See how it is rated →High-tempo or high-stakes duty can cause lasting anxiety.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your 68D Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Operating Room Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
68D Operating Room Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 68D Operating Room Specialist do?
Assists surgeons in the operating room by preparing surgical instruments, maintaining sterile fields, and handling specimens during surgical procedures.
What civilian jobs can a 68D Operating Room Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 68D (Army MOS) Operating Room Specialist include Surgical Technologist, Surgical First Assistant, and Central Sterile Processing Tech. These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 68D Operating Room Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 68D Operating Room Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $43,960 to $70,000 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 68D Operating Room Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 68D Operating Room Specialist resume include CST (Certified Surgical Technologist), CSFA, and BLS/ACLS. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 68D Operating Room Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 68D Operating Room Specialist develops, including Surgical assisting, Sterile technique, Instrument management, Anatomy knowledge, and Patient positioning. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
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68D Jobs by State
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