Surgical Assistant salary in North Carolina
Surgical Assistants in North Carolina earn a median of $59,920 a year ($28.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,900 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $66,800. North Carolina ranks 28th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.14 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,690, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in North Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,700 | $19.09 |
| 25th percentile | $49,520 | $23.81 |
| Median | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| 75th percentile | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,900 | $36.01 |
| Average (mean) | $57,690 | $27.73 |
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 | $4,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,496.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,304.62 |
| Weekly | $1,152.31 |
| Hourly | $28.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,920 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in North Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $67,210 | n/a |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,920 | n/a |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $52,890 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $40,950 | 30 |
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 North Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $63,010 | $30.29 |
| Athletic Trainer | $56,540 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $57,390 | $27.59 |
| Genetic Counselor | $93,570 | $44.98 |
| Registered Nurse | $84,350 | $40.56 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,270 | $30.42 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Physicians, All Other | $260,330 | $125.16 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,650 | $29.16 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,990 | $62.01 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $74,450 | $35.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $129,360 | $62.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,910 | $48.03 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in North Carolina
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 North Carolina?
The median salary for surgical assistants in North Carolina is $59,920 a year, or $28.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in North Carolina?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in North Carolina earn at least $74,900 a year. The top 25% earn $67,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in North Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,700 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $49,520 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in North Carolina?
About 670 surgical assistants are employed in North Carolina, not counting the self-employed.