How to Become a Surgical Assistant
Surgical Assistants earn a median salary of $66,800/year in the United States. Most positions require Bachelor's degree. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Arizona, Colorado.
Where Surgical Assistants have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $111K | $1,437 | $67K |
| District of Columbia | $123K | $2,146 | $62K |
| Nevada | $101K | $1,501 | $61K |
| Colorado | $107K | $1,832 | $57K |
| Kentucky | $85K | $1,110 | $51K |
| Tennessee | $82K | $1,215 | $51K |
| South Carolina | $86K | $1,263 | $50K |
| Ohio | $77K | $1,188 | $47K |
| Wisconsin | $78K | $1,202 | $46K |
| New Hampshire | $78K | $1,528 | $45K |
| Illinois | $80K | $1,407 | $44K |
| New Jersey | $91K | $2,067 | $44K |
| Minnesota | $76K | $1,384 | $41K |
| Oregon | $80K | $1,555 | $40K |
| Virginia | $79K | $1,646 | $40K |
| Iowa | $66K | $1,064 | $39K |
| Montana | $67K | $1,129 | $39K |
| Texas | $65K | $1,415 | $37K |
| New Mexico | $62K | $1,119 | $36K |
| Kansas | $58K | $1,066 | $33K |
| Pennsylvania | $61K | $1,351 | $33K |
| Connecticut | $68K | $1,679 | $33K |
| Florida | $63K | $1,658 | $32K |
| Idaho | $56K | $1,136 | $32K |
| Indiana | $57K | $1,144 | $32K |
| North Carolina | $60K | $1,284 | $32K |
| Washington | $65K | $1,830 | $32K |
| Alaska | $61K | $1,643 | $32K |
| Rhode Island | $62K | $1,544 | $31K |
| Michigan | $56K | $1,272 | $30K |
| Nebraska | $53K | $1,113 | $29K |
| West Virginia | $51K | $1,008 | $29K |
| Mississippi | $51K | $1,077 | $28K |
| Arkansas | $50K | $1,021 | $28K |
| Missouri | $49K | $1,097 | $27K |
| Maryland | $58K | $1,795 | $25K |
| New York | $60K | $1,917 | $25K |
| Georgia | $50K | $1,434 | $22K |
| California | $63K | $2,471 | $21K |
| Alabama | $42K | $1,085 | $21K |
| Oklahoma | $40K | $1,081 | $20K |
| Utah | $45K | $1,350 | $20K |
| Massachusetts | $56K | $2,347 | $16K |
| Hawaii | $54K | $2,240 | $15K |
Education and training
Healthcare careers typically require formal education from an accredited program, ranging from certificate programs (6-12 months for roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists) to doctoral degrees (for physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists). Most healthcare education includes mandatory clinical rotations or supervised practice hours that can't be completed online alone. Programs must be accredited by the relevant professional body for graduates to sit for licensing exams.
If you're aiming for a surgical assistants role, the typical entry-level education is Bachelor's degree. Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or structured training complements formal education.
Licensing and certification
Most healthcare roles require state licensure or national certification, often both. Licensing typically involves completing an accredited program, passing a standardized exam, and maintaining continuing education credits for renewal. Many healthcare licenses are state-specific: you may need a new license if you move, although interstate compacts are expanding in nursing, physical therapy, and other fields.
What the day-to-day looks like
Healthcare work is inherently hands-on and interpersonal. Most roles involve direct patient interaction, documentation in electronic health records, coordination with other providers, and adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Schedules vary dramatically by setting, hospitals operate 24/7 with shift work, while clinics and private practices typically run standard business hours.
Career progression
Healthcare offers unusually clear career ladders. Most professions have defined levels (entry, experienced, specialist, advanced practice, management) with specific credential requirements at each step. Lateral moves between specialties are common, and advanced degrees open doors to higher-paying or leadership roles. The aging U.S. population means demand for healthcare workers is projected to grow faster than the overall economy for the foreseeable future.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123K | 90 |
| Arizona | $111K | N/A |
| Colorado | $107K | N/A |
| Nevada | $101K | 230 |
| New Jersey | $91K | N/A |
| South Carolina | $86K | 480 |
| Kentucky | $85K | 480 |
| Tennessee | $82K | 750 |
| Oregon | $80K | 220 |
| Illinois | $80K | 2,300 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for surgical assistantss is District of Columbia at $123,390/year, that's $56,590 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for District of Columbia.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $83,230. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A surgical assistants making $40,160 in Oklahoma may have more purchasing power than one making $123,390 in District of Columbia if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most surgical assistants jobs are Texas (2,840 workers), Illinois (2,300 workers), Florida (1,260 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for surgical assistantss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
In healthcare, the strongest negotiation levers are specialization (certifications in high-demand areas), willingness to work undesirable shifts (nights, weekends, holidays command premium differentials), geographic flexibility (rural and underserved areas often offer sign-on bonuses and loan repayment), and experience in high-acuity settings.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS salary data for healthcare occupations often underreports total compensation because overtime, shift differentials, sign-on bonuses, and per diem premiums aren't captured in the median wage figure. The actual W-2 for many clinical roles exceeds the BLS median by 10-20%.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for surgical assistantss in every metro.
View Surgical Assistants salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistants make?▼
The median surgical assistants salary in the United States is $66,800 per year ($32/hour). Entry-level positions start around $39,690, while experienced professionals earn up to $107,610.
What education do you need to become a surgical assistant?▼
Most surgical assistants positions require Bachelor's degree. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for surgical assistants?▼
Check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook for the latest employment projections for surgical assistants.
What are the highest paying states for surgical assistants?▼
The highest paying states for surgical assistants are District of Columbia ($123,390), Arizona ($111,170), Colorado ($107,440), Nevada ($100,820), New Jersey ($90,710). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.