Surgical Assistant salary in Wisconsin
Surgical Assistants in Wisconsin earn a median of $78,030 a year ($37.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,950 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $66,800. Wisconsin ranks 12th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.28 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $75,650, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Wisconsin
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 25th percentile | $61,760 | $29.69 |
| Median | $78,030 | $37.51 |
| 75th percentile | $95,730 | $46.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| Average (mean) | $75,650 | $36.37 |
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 | $6,502.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,251.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,001.15 |
| Weekly | $1,500.58 |
| Hourly | $37.51 |
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 Wisconsin
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $81,690 | 420 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,950 | 230 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,470 | 40 |
| Madison, WI | $73,200 | 70 |
| Appleton, WI | $66,480 | n/a |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $66,030 | 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 Wisconsin
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $89,260 | $42.91 |
| Athletic Trainer | $61,820 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $81,580 | $39.22 |
| Genetic Counselor | $92,170 | $44.31 |
| Registered Nurse | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,970 | $22.10 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,670 | $29.17 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $63,760 | $30.65 |
| Physicians, All Other | $391,740 | $188.34 |
| Pharmacist | $148,740 | $71.51 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,840 | $48.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,980 | $63.45 |
| Dental Hygienist | $96,540 | $46.41 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $79,140 | $38.05 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Wisconsin
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 Wisconsin?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Wisconsin is $78,030 a year, or $37.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Wisconsin?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Wisconsin earn at least $99,950 a year. The top 25% earn $95,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Wisconsin?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,460 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $61,760 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Wisconsin?
About 810 surgical assistants are employed in Wisconsin, not counting the self-employed.