Surgical Assistant salary in Albuquerque, NM
Surgical Assistants in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $65,200 a year ($31.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 5% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $62,010. There are 0.14 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,450 | $22.33 |
| 25th percentile | $64,930 | $31.22 |
| Median | $65,200 | $31.35 |
| 75th percentile | $81,270 | $39.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,730 | $39.77 |
| Average (mean) | $68,840 | $33.10 |
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 | $5,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,716.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,507.69 |
| Weekly | $1,253.85 |
| Hourly | $31.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 |
| Arizona | $111,170 |
| Colorado | $107,440 |
| Nevada | $100,820 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 |
| South Carolina | $85,580 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 |
| Oregon | $80,450 |
| Illinois | $80,210 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $72,440 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $34,520 | $16.59 |
| Registered Nurse | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $60,020 | $28.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,510 | $49.76 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,940 | $38.44 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,160 | $47.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
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 Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $65,200 a year, or $31.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $82,730 a year. The top 25% earn $81,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,450 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $64,930 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 60 surgical assistants are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.