Surgical Assistants Salary by State
The national median pay for surgical assistants is $66,800 a year. By state, it ranges from $40,160 in Oklahoma to $123,390 in District of Columbia.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $39,690
- 25th percentile
- $50,170
- Median
- $66,800
- 75th percentile
- $88,010
- Top 10%
- $107,610
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 22,270 jobs.
Median pay in 43 states and DC
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $123,390 | +85% | $59,030 | $145,780 | 90 |
| 2 | Arizona | $111,170 | +66% | $48,100 | $164,090 | Not published |
| 3 | Colorado | $107,440 | +61% | $76,330 | $125,260 | Not published |
| 4 | Nevada | $100,820 | +51% | $48,980 | $114,380 | 230 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $90,710 | +36% | $44,770 | $146,780 | Not published |
| 6 | South Carolina | $85,580 | +28% | $40,510 | $133,380 | 480 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $84,600 | +27% | $47,470 | $154,100 | 480 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $81,640 | +22% | $59,370 | $102,350 | 750 |
| 9 | Oregon | $80,450 | +20% | $61,960 | $127,010 | 220 |
| 10 | Illinois | $80,210 | +20% | $64,220 | $83,740 | 2,300 |
| 11 | Virginia | $78,910 | +18% | $47,760 | $127,140 | 1,000 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | $78,030 | +17% | $47,460 | $99,950 | 810 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $77,670 | +16% | $50,170 | $165,110 | 130 |
| 14 | Ohio | $77,450 | +16% | $39,380 | $106,150 | 970 |
| 15 | Minnesota | $75,950 | +14% | $62,110 | $110,300 | 360 |
| 16 | Connecticut | $67,580 | +1% | $40,810 | $107,690 | 320 |
| 17 | Montana | $67,370 | +1% | $54,800 | $99,060 | 100 |
| 18 | Iowa | $66,030 | −1% | $49,330 | $102,420 | 30 |
| 19 | Washington | $65,440 | −2% | $41,740 | $102,600 | 100 |
| 20 | Texas | $64,930 | −3% | $36,750 | $102,890 | 2,840 |
| 21 | Florida | $62,550 | −6% | $41,100 | $130,030 | 1,260 |
| 22 | California | $62,540 | −6% | $56,100 | $72,030 | 1,210 |
| 23 | New Mexico | $62,010 | −7% | $45,380 | $82,730 | 130 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $61,900 | −7% | $61,900 | $97,180 | Not published |
| 25 | Alaska | $61,210 | −8% | $43,140 | $78,000 | 60 |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | $60,550 | −9% | $43,080 | $107,750 | 240 |
| 27 | New York | $60,070 | −10% | $47,900 | $94,230 | 470 |
| 28 | North Carolina | $59,920 | −10% | $39,700 | $74,900 | 670 |
| 29 | Maryland | $58,130 | −13% | $49,310 | $112,540 | 670 |
| 30 | Kansas | $57,810 | −13% | $35,930 | $78,760 | 180 |
| 31 | Indiana | $56,620 | −15% | $39,320 | $97,380 | 690 |
| 32 | Idaho | $56,460 | −15% | $43,000 | $63,990 | Not published |
| 33 | Massachusetts | $56,430 | −16% | $36,340 | $62,060 | Not published |
| 34 | Michigan | $56,430 | −16% | $37,460 | $89,130 | 560 |
| 35 | Hawaii | $54,190 | −19% | $52,160 | $122,300 | 70 |
| 36 | Nebraska | $53,190 | −20% | $40,460 | $82,780 | 80 |
| 37 | West Virginia | $50,870 | −24% | $38,750 | $101,860 | 280 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $50,810 | −24% | $39,910 | $69,160 | 120 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $49,600 | −26% | $35,310 | $110,160 | 80 |
| 40 | Georgia | $49,520 | −26% | $37,820 | $109,530 | 840 |
| 41 | Missouri | $49,400 | −26% | $37,540 | $93,060 | 510 |
| 42 | Utah | $44,990 | −33% | $36,320 | $62,570 | 290 |
| 43 | Alabama | $41,710 | −38% | $31,280 | $47,460 | 470 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $40,160 | −40% | $37,250 | $84,200 | 220 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Surgical Assistants salary questions
Which state pays surgical assistants the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $123,390 a year (+85% vs. the national median of $66,800). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays surgical assistants the least?
Oklahoma, with a median of $40,160 a year (−40% vs. national).
Where do most surgical assistants work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 2,840, with a median of $64,930.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.