Surgical Assistant salary in Kentucky
Surgical Assistants in Kentucky earn a median of $84,600 a year ($40.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 480 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,100 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $66,800. Kentucky ranks 7th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.24 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| 25th percentile | $55,300 | $26.59 |
| Median | $84,600 | $40.67 |
| 75th percentile | $115,030 | $55.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $154,100 | $74.09 |
| Average (mean) | $89,380 | $42.97 |
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 | $7,050 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,525 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,253.85 |
| Weekly | $1,626.92 |
| Hourly | $40.67 |
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 Kentucky
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,730 | 200 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $102,330 | 100 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $63,740 | 70 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,350 | 140 |
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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $49,330 | $23.71 |
| Athletic Trainer | $60,680 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Genetic Counselor | $99,770 | $47.97 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,040 | $38.96 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $60,460 | $29.07 |
| Pharmacist | $136,530 | $65.64 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,870 | $59.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,410 | $23.28 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $69,670 | $33.50 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,390 | $157.40 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kentucky
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Kentucky is $84,600 a year, or $40.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $154,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Kentucky earn at least $154,100 a year. The top 25% earn $115,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,470 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $55,300 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Kentucky?
About 480 surgical assistants are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.