Surgical Assistants Salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
The median pay for a surgical assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $57,520/year ($27.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93.34), which stretches that salary to about $61,624 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,331/month — about 35.2% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $58K get you in Athens-Clarke County?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Athens-Clarke County’s Regional Price Parity (93.34). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Athens-Clarke County, GA
Entry-level surgical assistants (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $69K or more, a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Surgical Assistants pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $110K | +82% | N/A |
| Arizona | $108K | +78% | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $105K | +74% | 110 |
| Minnesota | $100K | +66% | 180 |
| South Carolina | $98K | +63% | 520 |
| Kentucky | $82K | +36% | 360 |
| Tennessee | $78K | +30% | 1,010 |
| Texas | $77K | +27% | 2,770 |
| New Hampshire | $75K | +24% | 210 |
| New Jersey | $74K | +22% | 190 |
| Wisconsin | $72K | +19% | 630 |
| Washington | $69K | +15% | 120 |
| Montana | $65K | +7% | 100 |
| Pennsylvania | $65K | +7% | 500 |
| Illinois | $62K | +3% | 1,220 |
| Oregon | $62K | +3% | 600 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +3% | 150 |
| Iowa | $61K | +1% | 80 |
| Indiana | $60K | +0% | 530 |
| California | $60K | +0% | N/A |
| Rhode Island | $60K | -1% | N/A |
| New York | $59K | -3% | 500 |
| Virginia | $58K | -3% | 1,210 |
| Maryland | $58K | -3% | 950 |
| Michigan | $56K | -8% | 760 |
| Idaho | $55K | -8% | N/A |
| North Dakota | $55K | -9% | 30 |
| Connecticut | $53K | -12% | 240 |
| Georgia | $52K | -13% | 1,010 |
| Hawaii | $52K | -13% | 60 |
| Ohio | $51K | -15% | 840 |
| Florida | $51K | -16% | 2,080 |
| North Carolina | $51K | -16% | 890 |
| Nebraska | $50K | -17% | 100 |
| Arkansas | $49K | -18% | 100 |
| Alaska | $49K | -18% | 50 |
| West Virginia | $49K | -19% | 200 |
| Mississippi | $49K | -19% | 70 |
| Kansas | $48K | -20% | 180 |
| New Mexico | $47K | -22% | 250 |
| Utah | $45K | -26% | 330 |
| Missouri | $44K | -26% | 380 |
| Louisiana | $42K | -31% | 60 |
| Alabama | $39K | -35% | 250 |
| Oklahoma | $37K | -38% | 280 |
Showing 1–10 of 45 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track surgical assistants salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Athens-Clarke County numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do surgical assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median is $57,520 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,570, and experienced surgical assistants can clear $68,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in Athens-Clarke County?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,796/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,331/month, which eats 35.1% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a surgical assistants salary go in Athens-Clarke County?
Athens-Clarke County has a Regional Price Parity of 93.34 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surgical assistants salary is worth about $61,624 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surgical assistants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.