Surgical Assistant salary in the U.S.
Surgical Assistants in the U.S. earn a median of $66,800 a year ($32.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 22,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,610 for the top 10%. The average (mean) salary is $72,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in the U.S.
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 25th percentile | $50,170 | $24.12 |
| Median | $66,800 | $32.11 |
| 75th percentile | $88,010 | $42.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,610 | $51.74 |
| Average (mean) | $72,710 | $34.96 |
Half of surgical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,566.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,783.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,569.23 |
| Weekly | $1,284.62 |
| Hourly | $32.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Assistant salary by state
| State | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 | 90 |
| Arizona | $111,170 | n/a |
| Colorado | $107,440 | n/a |
| Nevada | $100,820 | 230 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 | n/a |
| South Carolina | $85,580 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 | 480 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 | 750 |
| Oregon | $80,450 | 220 |
| Illinois | $80,210 | 2,300 |
| Virginia | $78,910 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $78,030 | 810 |
| New Hampshire | $77,670 | 130 |
| Ohio | $77,450 | 970 |
| Minnesota | $75,950 | 360 |
| Connecticut | $67,580 | 320 |
| Montana | $67,370 | 100 |
| Iowa | $66,030 | 30 |
| Washington | $65,440 | 100 |
| Texas | $64,930 | 2,840 |
| Florida | $62,550 | 1,260 |
| California | $62,540 | 1,210 |
| New Mexico | $62,010 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $61,900 | n/a |
| Alaska | $61,210 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,550 | 240 |
| New York | $60,070 | 470 |
| North Carolina | $59,920 | 670 |
| Maryland | $58,130 | 670 |
| Kansas | $57,810 | 180 |
| Indiana | $56,620 | 690 |
| Idaho | $56,460 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $56,430 | n/a |
| Michigan | $56,430 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $54,190 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $53,190 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $50,870 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $50,810 | 120 |
| Arkansas | $49,600 | 80 |
| Georgia | $49,520 | 840 |
| Missouri | $49,400 | 510 |
| Utah | $44,990 | 290 |
| Alabama | $41,710 | 470 |
| Oklahoma | $40,160 | 220 |
| Puerto Rico | $30,160 | 90 |
Best-paying metro areas for surgical assistants
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $161,710 | n/a |
| Florence, SC | $133,380 | 200 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,730 | 200 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $102,330 | 100 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $100,820 | 200 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $97,800 | 70 |
| El Paso, TX | $94,730 | 60 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $93,380 | 110 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $88,570 | 40 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $87,080 | 490 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $87,080 | 340 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $86,890 | 120 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $84,750 | 60 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $84,460 | 40 |
Metro areas with the most surgical assistants
| Metro area | Workers | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | 2,090 | $80,210 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 680 | $60,410 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 490 | $87,080 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 430 | $58,370 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | 420 | $81,690 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 370 | $60,720 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | 350 | $48,570 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | 340 | $87,080 |
| Richmond, VA | 340 | $51,030 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | 290 | $78,240 |
| Cleveland, OH | 280 | $74,140 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 270 | $99,530 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | 250 | $56,120 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 230 | $75,950 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | 230 | $79,110 |
Related jobs in the U.S.
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $65,790 | $31.63 |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,520 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $100,040 | $48.09 |
| Registered Nurse | $97,550 | $46.90 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,400 | $30.96 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,750 | $22.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $265,930 | $127.85 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,930 | $30.26 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | $63.61 |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | $67.75 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,110 | $38.52 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 | $47.16 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make in the U.S.?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the U.S. is $66,800 a year, or $32.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in the U.S.?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the U.S. earn at least $107,610 a year. The top 25% earn $88,010 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in the U.S.?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,690 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $50,170 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in the U.S.?
About 22,270 surgical assistants are employed in the U.S., not counting the self-employed.