Surgical Assistant salary in Rochester, MN
Surgical Assistants in the Rochester, MN metro area earn a median of $76,880 a year ($36.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,150 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 1% higher than the Minnesota statewide median of $75,950. There are 0.32 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Rochester, MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,060 | $30.80 |
| 25th percentile | $65,360 | $31.42 |
| Median | $76,880 | $36.96 |
| 75th percentile | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,150 | $44.78 |
| Average (mean) | $77,200 | $37.12 |
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 | $6,406.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,203.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,956.92 |
| Weekly | $1,478.46 |
| Hourly | $36.96 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,950 | 230 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,470 | 40 |
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 Minnesota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rochester, MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| Registered Nurse | $101,660 | $48.87 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $126,270 | $60.71 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,330 | $38.62 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,750 | $30.65 |
| Physician Assistant | $137,340 | $66.03 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Pharmacist | $164,250 | $78.97 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $50,730 | $24.39 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.14 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,930 | $29.29 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,000 | $40.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rochester, MN
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 Rochester, MN?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Rochester, MN metro area is $76,880 a year, or $36.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Rochester, MN?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Rochester, MN metro area earn at least $93,150 a year. The top 25% earn $93,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Rochester, MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,060 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $65,360 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Rochester, MN?
About 40 surgical assistants are employed in the Rochester, MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.