Surgical Assistant Salary in Washington, DC
Surgical Assistants in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $60,410 a year — 10% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $48,239 take-home, or $4,020 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surgical assistant salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,069
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,745
- Medicare (1.45%)$876
- District of Columbia income tax$2,480
- Take-home pay$48,239
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Surgical Assistant pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,620 | $23.86 | $40,238 | $3,353 |
| 25th percentile | $58,130 | $27.95 | $46,556 | $3,880 |
| Median (50th) | $60,410 | $29.04 | $48,239 | $4,020 |
| 75th percentile | $109,760 | $52.77 | $79,685 | $6,640 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,400 | $64.13 | $94,074 | $7,840 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $60,410 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surgical assistant's $48,239 take-home pay has the buying power of $44,303 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.5× the national concentration of surgical assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for surgical assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 3 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dallas, TX | $87,080 | $70,091 | $67,990 |
| 2 | Chicago, IL | $80,210 | $61,432 | $59,300 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $60,410 | $48,239 | $44,303 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 3 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make in Washington, DC?
The median surgical assistant salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $60,410 a year, or about $29.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $58,130 and $109,760.
What is a surgical assistant’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $60,410 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $48,239 a year ($4,020 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,480 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a surgical assistant?
Pay here is 10% below the national median of $66,800. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $44,303 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 3 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surgical assistant afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 50% of a median surgical assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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