Surgical Assistants vs. Registered Nurses: Who Earns More?
Registered Nursess out-earn Surgical Assistantss by $31K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Surgical Assistantss land at $66,800 and Registered Nursess 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 Assistantss is District of Columbia ($123,390); for Registered Nursess 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 Assistantss or Registered Nursess?
Registered Nursess earn more nationally. The median is $66,800 for Surgical Assistantss versus $97,550 for Registered Nursess, a difference of $31K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Surgical Assistants or Registered Nurses?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Assistantss get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Surgical Assistantss 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 Assistantss earn $123,390 vs. $102,540 for Registered Nursess. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.