Surgical Assistant salary in Appleton, WI
Surgical Assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area earn a median of $66,480 a year ($31.96 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,280 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 15% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,030. The average (mean) salary is $70,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Appleton, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| 25th percentile | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Median | $66,480 | $31.96 |
| 75th percentile | $80,470 | $38.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,280 | $47.25 |
| Average (mean) | $70,530 | $33.91 |
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 | $5,540 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,770 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,556.92 |
| Weekly | $1,278.46 |
| Hourly | $31.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $81,690 | 420 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,950 | 230 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,470 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $73,200 | 70 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $66,030 | 50 |
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 Wisconsin statewide figures.
Related jobs in Appleton, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $86,680 | $41.67 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,300 | $31.39 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,160 | $21.71 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,350 | $46.32 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| Pharmacist | $144,630 | $69.53 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $77,860 | $37.43 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,920 | $49.00 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,360 | $29.98 |
| Physicians, All Other | $406,080 | $195.23 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,030 | $62.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $90,310 | $43.42 |
| Dentists, General | $206,650 | $99.35 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,270 | $61.67 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Appleton, WI
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 Appleton, WI?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area is $66,480 a year, or $31.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Appleton, WI?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Appleton, WI metro area earn at least $98,280 a year. The top 25% earn $80,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Appleton, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,610 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $46,620 or less.