Surgical Assistant salary in Washington
Surgical Assistants in Washington earn a median of $65,440 a year ($31.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,600 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,800. Washington ranks 19th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.03 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.20). The average (mean) salary is $71,820, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,740 | $20.07 |
| 25th percentile | $53,460 | $25.70 |
| Median | $65,440 | $31.46 |
| 75th percentile | $86,890 | $41.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,600 | $49.33 |
| Average (mean) | $71,820 | $34.53 |
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 | $5,453.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,726.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,516.92 |
| Weekly | $1,258.46 |
| Hourly | $31.46 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $86,890 | 120 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,550 | 50 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $80,730 | $38.81 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| Athletic Trainer | $63,750 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $72,760 | $34.98 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $83,150 | $39.98 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $62,270 | $29.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Washington is $65,440 a year, or $31.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Washington?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Washington earn at least $102,600 a year. The top 25% earn $86,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,740 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $53,460 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Washington?
About 100 surgical assistants are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.