Surgical Assistant salary in New Mexico
Surgical Assistants in New Mexico earn a median of $62,010 a year ($29.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $66,800. New Mexico ranks 23rd of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.15 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,380 | $21.82 |
| 25th percentile | $46,870 | $22.53 |
| Median | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| 75th percentile | $69,040 | $33.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,730 | $39.77 |
| Average (mean) | $62,530 | $30.06 |
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 | $5,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,583.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,385 |
| Weekly | $1,192.50 |
| Hourly | $29.81 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $65,200 | 60 |
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 New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $72,440 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $35,270 | $16.96 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $42,000 | $20.19 |
| Registered Nurse | $94,340 | $45.36 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,630 | $22.42 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,520 | $66.11 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Dental Hygienist | $95,940 | $46.12 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,880 | $51.38 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $37,550 | $18.05 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for surgical assistants in New Mexico is $62,010 a year, or $29.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in New Mexico earn at least $82,730 a year. The top 25% earn $69,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,380 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $46,870 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in New Mexico?
About 130 surgical assistants are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.