Surgical Assistant salary in New York
Surgical Assistants in New York earn a median of $60,070 a year ($28.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,230 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $66,800. New York ranks 27th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.05 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.34). The average (mean) salary is $64,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in New York
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| 25th percentile | $54,440 | $26.18 |
| Median | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| 75th percentile | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,230 | $45.30 |
| Average (mean) | $64,100 | $30.82 |
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 | $5,005.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,502.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,310.38 |
| Weekly | $1,155.19 |
| Hourly | $28.88 |
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 York
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,990 | 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 New York
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $75,320 | $36.21 |
| Athletic Trainer | $66,230 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $102,990 | $49.52 |
| Genetic Counselor | $107,450 | $51.66 |
| Registered Nurse | $109,440 | $52.62 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,930 | $21.12 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $153,510 | $73.80 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,660 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $142,090 | $68.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $160,880 | $77.35 |
| Physicians, All Other | $242,500 | $116.59 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $100,610 | $48.37 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New York
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 York?
The median salary for surgical assistants in New York is $60,070 a year, or $28.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,230 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in New York?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in New York earn at least $94,230 a year. The top 25% earn $63,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in New York?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,900 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $54,440 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in New York?
About 470 surgical assistants are employed in New York, not counting the self-employed.