Surgical Assistants vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nurses out-earn Surgical Assistants by $31K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surgical Assistants land at $66,800 and Registered Nurses at $97,550. The education gap is real: surgical assistant programs typically require bachelor's degree, while registered nurse programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Surgical Assistants is District of Columbia ($123,390); for Registered Nurses it's California ($140,270).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Surgical Assistants median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Surgical Assistants or Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses earn more nationally. The median is $66,800 for Surgical Assistants versus $97,550 for Registered Nurses, a difference of $31K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Surgical Assistants or Registered Nurses?
Surgical Assistants has the better 10-year outlook at 5.1% projected growth, compared to 4.9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Surgical Assistants or Registered Nurses?
Surgical Assistants typically requires bachelor's degree. Registered Nurses requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Surgical Assistants get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Surgical Assistants at $123,390/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Surgical Assistants vs. Registered Nurses pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In District of Columbia, Surgical Assistants earn $123,390 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nurses. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.