Surgical Assistant salary in Arkansas
Surgical Assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $49,600 a year ($23.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,160 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $66,800. Arkansas ranks 39th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.06 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.43). The average (mean) salary is $67,290, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| 25th percentile | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Median | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| 75th percentile | $78,790 | $37.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $110,160 | $52.96 |
| Average (mean) | $67,290 | $32.35 |
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 | $4,133.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,066.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,907.69 |
| Weekly | $953.85 |
| Hourly | $23.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $80,740 | 90 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $37,660 | $18.11 |
| Athletic Trainer | $57,240 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $93,300 | $44.86 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,680 | $18.60 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $63,640 | $30.60 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Arkansas is $49,600 a year, or $23.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $110,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Arkansas earn at least $110,160 a year. The top 25% earn $78,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,310 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $36,800 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Arkansas?
About 80 surgical assistants are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.