Surgical Assistant salary in California
Surgical Assistants in California earn a median of $62,540 a year ($30.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,210 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,030 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $66,800. California ranks 22nd of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.07 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.47). The average (mean) salary is $67,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,100 | $26.97 |
| 25th percentile | $59,630 | $28.67 |
| Median | $62,540 | $30.07 |
| 75th percentile | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,030 | $34.63 |
| Average (mean) | $67,860 | $32.62 |
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 | $5,211.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,605.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,405.38 |
| Weekly | $1,202.69 |
| Hourly | $30.07 |
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 California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $72,030 | n/a |
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 California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $75,800 | $36.44 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $90,750 | $43.63 |
| Athletic Trainer | $78,490 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $137,650 | $66.18 |
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for surgical assistants in California is $62,540 a year, or $30.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in California?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in California earn at least $72,030 a year. The top 25% earn $72,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,100 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $59,630 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in California?
About 1,210 surgical assistants are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.