Surgical Assistant salary in Raleigh-Cary, NC
Surgical Assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a median of $67,210 a year ($32.31 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,580 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 12% higher than the North Carolina statewide median of $59,920. The average (mean) salary is $67,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,640 | $24.83 |
| 25th percentile | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| Median | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| 75th percentile | $67,210 | $32.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,580 | $37.78 |
| Average (mean) | $67,340 | $32.37 |
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 | $5,600.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,800.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,585 |
| Weekly | $1,292.50 |
| Hourly | $32.31 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,210 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| 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 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Raleigh-Cary, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $53,470 | $25.71 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $76,810 | $36.93 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,770 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $84,830 | $40.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,750 | $28.73 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,080 | $30.81 |
| Pharmacist | $133,120 | $64.00 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,150 | $61.61 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,800 | $47.50 |
| Physician Assistant | $124,300 | $59.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,900 | $48.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $354,130 | $170.26 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $68,210 | $32.79 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Raleigh-Cary, NC
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 Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area is $67,210 a year, or $32.31 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn at least $78,580 a year. The top 25% earn $67,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Raleigh-Cary, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,640 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $67,210 or less.