Surgical Assistant Salary in 2026
How Much Do Surgical Assistants Make?
Surgical Assistants earn a median annual salary of $60,290 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,540 at the 10th percentile to $102,390 at the 90th percentile — a range of $62,850. The highest-paying state is Nevada at $110,020.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,540 |
| 25th percentile | $49,140 |
| Median (50th) | $60,290 |
| 75th percentile | $80,860 |
| 90th percentile | $102,390 |
Surgical Assistant Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nevadatop | $110,020 |
| Arizona | $107,500 |
| District of Columbia | $105,080 |
| Minnesota | $100,000 |
| South Carolina | $98,340 |
| Kentucky | $81,710 |
| Tennessee | $78,330 |
| Texas | $76,510 |
| New Hampshire | $74,880 |
| New Jersey | $73,600 |
| Wisconsin | $71,630 |
| Washington | $69,060 |
| Montana | $64,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $64,670 |
| Illinois | $62,030 |
| Oregon | $61,970 |
| Massachusetts | $61,880 |
| Iowa | $60,620 |
| Indiana | $60,380 |
| California | $60,290 |
| Rhode Island | $59,670 |
| New York | $58,680 |
| Virginia | $58,490 |
| Maryland | $58,240 |
| Michigan | $55,630 |
| Idaho | $55,310 |
| North Dakota | $54,840 |
| Connecticut | $53,300 |
| Georgia | $52,430 |
| Hawaii | $52,340 |
| Ohio | $51,180 |
| Florida | $50,920 |
| North Carolina | $50,880 |
| Nebraska | $49,850 |
| Arkansas | $49,340 |
| Alaska | $49,200 |
| West Virginia | $49,080 |
| Mississippi | $48,820 |
| Kansas | $48,200 |
| New Mexico | $46,810 |
| Utah | $44,720 |
| Missouri | $44,390 |
| Louisiana | $41,810 |
| Alabama | $38,900 |
| Oklahoma | $37,230 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Surgical Assistants
Surgical Assistant Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,540 – $49,140 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$60,290 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$80,860 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $102,390+ |
How to Earn More as a Surgical Assistant
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Surgical Assistants in District of Columbia earn $105,080 — $44,790 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($80,860) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Surgical Assistant Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Assistantthis career | $60,290 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,260 |
| Anesthesiologist Assistant | $133,260 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,450 |
| Acute Care Nurse | $93,600 |
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SOC: 29-9093.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.