Surgical Assistant Salary
Surgical Assistants earn a median $66,800 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
What surgical assistants do
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.
- Typical education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.1% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 1,400
- Self-employed
- 8%
Employment of surgical assistants is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 1,400 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Surgical Assistant take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,866
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,142
- Medicare (1.45%)$969
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$55,824
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,690 | $19.08 | $34,071 |
| 25th percentile | $50,170 | $24.12 | $42,492 |
| Median (50th) | $66,800 | $32.12 | $55,824 |
| 75th percentile | $88,010 | $42.31 | $70,745 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,610 | $51.74 | $84,534 |
Surgical Assistant salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 | +17.4% | $88,083 | $59,030 – $145,780 | 90 |
| Arizona | $111,170 | +3.4% | $84,468 | $48,100 – $164,090 | — |
| Colorado | $107,440 | — | $80,395 | $76,330 – $125,260 | — |
| Nevada | $100,820 | −8.4% | $79,757 | $48,980 – $114,380 | 230 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 | +23.2% | $69,056 | $44,770 – $146,780 | — |
| South Carolina | $85,580 | −13.0% | $65,058 | $40,510 – $133,380 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 | +3.5% | $65,503 | $47,470 – $154,100 | 480 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 | +4.2% | $66,264 | $59,370 – $102,350 | 750 |
| Oregon | $80,450 | +29.8% | $59,217 | $61,960 – $127,010 | 220 |
| Illinois | $80,210 | +29.3% | $61,432 | $64,220 – $83,740 | 2,300 |
| Virginia | $78,910 | +34.9% | $60,620 | $47,760 – $127,140 | 1,000 |
| Wisconsin | $78,030 | +8.9% | $60,969 | $47,460 – $99,950 | 810 |
| New Hampshire | $77,670 | +3.7% | $63,471 | $50,170 – $165,110 | 130 |
| Ohio | $77,450 | +51.3% | $61,969 | $39,380 – $106,150 | 970 |
| Minnesota | $75,950 | −24.1% | $58,620 | $62,110 – $110,300 | 360 |
| Connecticut | $67,580 | +26.8% | $54,231 | $40,810 – $107,690 | 320 |
| Montana | $67,370 | +4.0% | $53,779 | $54,800 – $99,060 | 100 |
| Iowa | $66,030 | +8.9% | $53,378 | $49,330 – $102,420 | 30 |
| Washington | $65,440 | −5.2% | $54,761 | $41,740 – $102,600 | 100 |
| Texas | $64,930 | −15.1% | $54,351 | $36,750 – $102,890 | 2,840 |
| Florida | $62,550 | +22.8% | $52,439 | $41,100 – $130,030 | 1,260 |
| California | $62,540 | +3.7% | $49,816 | $56,100 – $72,030 | 1,210 |
| New Mexico | $62,010 | +32.5% | $50,256 | $45,380 – $82,730 | 130 |
| Rhode Island | $61,900 | +3.7% | $50,212 | $61,900 – $97,180 | — |
| Alaska | $61,210 | +24.4% | $51,362 | $43,140 – $78,000 | 60 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,550 | −6.4% | $48,973 | $43,080 – $107,750 | 240 |
| New York | $60,070 | +2.4% | $47,799 | $47,900 – $94,230 | 470 |
| North Carolina | $59,920 | +17.8% | $48,444 | $39,700 – $74,900 | 670 |
| Maryland | $58,130 | −0.2% | $46,490 | $49,310 – $112,540 | 670 |
| Kansas | $57,810 | +19.9% | $46,204 | $35,930 – $78,760 | 180 |
| Indiana | $56,620 | −6.2% | $46,033 | $39,320 – $97,380 | 690 |
| Idaho | $56,460 | +2.1% | $45,662 | $43,000 – $63,990 | — |
| Massachusetts | $56,430 | −8.8% | $44,920 | $36,340 – $62,060 | — |
| Michigan | $56,430 | +1.4% | $45,374 | $37,460 – $89,130 | 560 |
| Hawaii | $54,190 | +3.5% | $43,133 | $52,160 – $122,300 | 70 |
| Nebraska | $53,190 | +6.7% | $43,378 | $40,460 – $82,780 | 80 |
| West Virginia | $50,870 | +3.6% | $41,495 | $38,750 – $101,860 | 280 |
| Mississippi | $50,810 | +4.1% | $41,705 | $39,910 – $69,160 | 120 |
| Arkansas | $49,600 | +0.5% | $40,312 | $35,310 – $110,160 | 80 |
| Georgia | $49,520 | −5.6% | $40,022 | $37,820 – $109,530 | 840 |
| Missouri | $49,400 | +11.3% | $40,488 | $37,540 – $93,060 | 510 |
| Utah | $44,990 | +0.6% | $37,271 | $36,320 – $62,570 | 290 |
| Alabama | $41,710 | +7.2% | $33,873 | $31,280 – $47,460 | 470 |
| Oklahoma | $40,160 | +7.9% | $33,187 | $37,250 – $84,200 | 220 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $65,790 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.1% |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,520 | Master's degree | +12.7% |
| Genetic Counselor | $100,040 | Master's degree | +10.4% |
| Health Information Technologist and Medical Registrar | $68,020 | Associate's degree | +15.9% |
| Hearing Aid Specialist | $65,160 | High school diploma or equivalent | +19.4% |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.0% |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse | $64,400 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +3.0% |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree | +2.7% |
| Recreational Therapist | $61,960 | Bachelor's degree | +4.8% |
| Paramedic | $60,600 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +5.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make?
The national median salary for surgical assistants is $66,800 a year ($32.12 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,690 and the top 10% earn over $107,610. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays surgical assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median pay at $123,390.
How many surgical assistants are there in the U.S.?
About 22,270 people work as surgical assistants nationwide.