Surgical Assistant salary in Madison, WI
Surgical Assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn a median of $73,200 a year ($35.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,270 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 6% lower than the Wisconsin statewide median of $78,030. There are 0.18 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $68,710, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Madison, WI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,190 | $23.17 |
| 25th percentile | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Median | $73,200 | $35.19 |
| 75th percentile | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,270 | $46.77 |
| Average (mean) | $68,710 | $33.03 |
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 | $6,100 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,050 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,815.38 |
| Weekly | $1,407.69 |
| Hourly | $35.19 |
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 |
| Appleton, WI | $66,480 | n/a |
| 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 Madison, WI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Athletic Trainer | $72,780 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Genetic Counselor | $89,600 | $43.08 |
| Registered Nurse | $101,190 | $48.65 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,090 | $28.41 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,680 | $22.44 |
| Pharmacist | $158,120 | $76.02 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $64,380 | $30.95 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,810 | $49.43 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,940 | $145.16 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,920 | $38.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $100,340 | $48.24 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,550 | $31.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Madison, 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 Madison, WI?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Madison, WI metro area is $73,200 a year, or $35.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Madison, WI?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Madison, WI metro area earn at least $97,270 a year. The top 25% earn $80,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Madison, WI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,190 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $49,520 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Madison, WI?
About 70 surgical assistants are employed in the Madison, WI metro area, not counting the self-employed.