Data current as of August 2026 · sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET
Average base salary, Pennsylvania
$71,500 / year
≈ $5,950 per month · $34.38 per hour
BLS May 2025 state data for Pennsylvania · median $62,500
25th percentile
$52,000Average
$71,50075th percentile
$86,500
$52,000Average
$71,50075th percentile
$86,500
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Surgical Assistant salary by state
Alabama$43,000
Alaska$65,000
Arizona$105,500
Arkansas$69,500
California$70,000
Colorado$110,500
Connecticut$77,000
District of Columbia$115,000
Florida$78,500
Georgia$63,500
Hawaii$73,000
Idaho$58,000
Illinois$81,500
Indiana$65,000
Iowa$68,000
Kansas$61,000
Kentucky$92,500
Maryland$73,500
Massachusetts$57,000
Michigan$63,500
Minnesota$84,000
Mississippi$54,500
Missouri$64,000
Montana$75,000
Nebraska$63,000
Nevada$95,000
New Hampshire$95,500
New Jersey$101,500
New Mexico$64,500
New York$66,500
North Carolina$59,500
Ohio$77,000
Oklahoma$55,500
Oregon$95,000
Pennsylvania$71,500
Rhode Island$72,500
South Carolina$88,500
Tennessee$85,500
Texas$73,500
Utah$48,000
Virginia$85,000
Washington$74,500
West Virginia$62,000
Wisconsin$78,500
About this role
Surgical Assistant is a professional role within the function in the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family.
Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.
What Surgical Assistants do
Typical education: Associate's Degree
- Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
Top skills: Active Listening Speaking Reading Comprehension Monitoring Critical Thinking Service Orientation
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Surgical Assistant pay by experience level
Entry level$41,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$52,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$69,000
Mid-career median pay
Senior$91,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$111,500
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+5.1%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
1,600
projected openings per year
Growing about as fast as average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Surgical Assistant salary by industry
Ambulatory Health Care Services
12,280 workers
$71,500Hospitals
9,130 workers
$79,000General Medical and Surgical Hospitals
8,950 workers
$79,500Hospitals, Privately Owned
8,100 workers
$79,000Offices of Dentists
6,150 workers
$57,500Offices of Physicians
3,730 workers
$81,500Outpatient Care Centers
980 workers
$73,500Hospitals, Local Government Owned
860 workers
$82,500Administrative and Support Services
340 workers
$100,000Employment Services
340 workers
$100,000National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Surgical Assistant pays 54% below the average across 91 roles in the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family (family average $162,000).
Similar-paying roles in Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
Surgical Technologist$71,000
Dietitians and Nutritionists$80,000
Recreational Therapist$70,000
Athletic Trainer$69,000
Hearing Aid Specialist$68,500
Paramedic$65,500
Orthotists and Prosthetists$86,500
Careers related to Surgical Assistant
Surgical Technologist$71,000
Physician Assistant$146,000
Paramedic$65,500
Emergency Medical Technician$48,500
Medical Assistant$47,500
Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surgical Assistant make?
The average base salary for a Surgical Assistant in the United States is $75,000 per year, or about $36.06 per hour.
What is the typical salary range?
Pay typically falls between $52,000 and $91,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.
How does this compare with other Healthcare Practitioners and Technical roles?
The Healthcare Practitioners and Technical job family averages $162,000 across 91 roles tracked by WePayFairly.
Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.
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