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Surgical assistant: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$66,800median pay per year, or $32.11 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $39,690lowest 10% earn less
  2. $50,17025th percentile
  3. $66,800median
  4. $88,01075th percentile
  5. $107,610top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[6]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[3]

Surgical assistants, a BLS category whose workers report titles such as certified surgical technician and scrub tech, earned a median of $66,800 a year in May 2025[1][2]. That is above the median for all occupations, and jobs are projected to grow faster than average through 2035[3][4][5].

Job growth, 2025–35
+6.1%[4]
Openings per year
1,400[7]
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award[8]

How much do surgical assistants make?

The median wage for surgical assistants was $66,800 a year, or $32.11 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half earned more than that and half earned less. For comparison, the median for all US occupations was $50,980[3].

The average (mean) wage was $72,710 a year and $34.96 an hour[9].

Percentile Annual Hourly
10th[6][10] $39,690 $19.08
25th[6][10] $50,170 $24.12
Median[1] $66,800 $32.11
75th[6][10] $88,010 $42.31
90th[6][10] $107,610 $51.74

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $39,690 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $107,610[6]. A percentile is a cut-off point in the pay range, not a starting salary. BLS does not publish starting pay[11].

These figures cover people paid a wage or salary, full time or part time. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not count bonuses unrelated to output or what employers spend on benefits like health insurance and retirement[12].

Pay by state and city

Pay varies a lot by location. The District of Columbia had the highest median at $123,390, followed by Arizona at $111,170, Colorado at $107,440, Nevada at $100,820 and New Jersey at $90,710[13]. At the bottom of the list of 43 states and DC with published data were Alabama ($41,710) and Oklahoma ($40,160)[13].

The most jobs were in Texas (2,840 jobs), Illinois (2,300 jobs), Florida (1,260 jobs), California (1,210 jobs) and Virginia (1,000 jobs)[14]. Of these five, only Illinois ($80,210) and Virginia ($78,910) had state medians above the national median of $66,800[13][1].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Florence, SC had the highest median at $133,380[15]. Next came the Cincinnati area at $102,730, Lexington-Fayette, KY at $102,330, the Las Vegas area at $100,820 and the Virginia Beach area at $99,530[15]. The Chicago-Naperville-Elgin area had by far the most jobs, about 2,090, with a median of $80,210[16].

Show median pay in 43 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
District of Columbia[13]$123,39090
Arizona$111,170n/a
Colorado$107,440n/a
Nevada$100,820230
New Jersey$90,710n/a
South Carolina$85,580480
Kentucky$84,600480
Tennessee$81,640750
Oregon$80,450220
Illinois$80,2102,300
Virginia$78,9101,000
Wisconsin$78,030810
New Hampshire$77,670130
Ohio$77,450970
Minnesota$75,950360
Connecticut$67,580320
Montana$67,370100
Iowa$66,03030
Washington$65,440100
Texas$64,9302,840
Florida$62,5501,260
California$62,5401,210
New Mexico$62,010130
Rhode Island$61,900n/a
Alaska$61,21060
Pennsylvania$60,550240
New York$60,070470
North Carolina$59,920670
Maryland$58,130670
Kansas$57,810180
Indiana$56,620690
Idaho$56,460n/a
Massachusetts$56,430n/a
Michigan$56,430560
Hawaii$54,19070
Nebraska$53,19080
West Virginia$50,870280
Mississippi$50,810120
Arkansas$49,60080
Georgia$49,520840
Missouri$49,400510
Utah$44,990290
Alabama$41,710470
Oklahoma$40,160220

How to become a surgical assistant

BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training expected[8]. The training details below come from the Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for surgical assistants and technologists, which covers a wider group than this page[17].

1) Complete an accredited program that leads to a certificate or an associate's degree[18][19]. Community colleges and vocational schools offer these programs, and so do some universities and hospitals[19]. 2) Expect classes in anatomy, microbiology and physiology, plus patient care and safety, sterilizing tools, setting up technical and robotic equipment, and infection control, with hands-on practice under supervision in clinical settings[20]. 3) Pick a route into the assistant role[21]. Some people finish a formal program in surgical assisting. Others first work as surgical technologists and then get extra training on the job to become first assistants[21]. 4) Consider certification[22]. Some employers require it, and it may make finding a job easier[22]. It usually means finishing an accredited education program or a military training program and then passing an exam[23]. 5) Get certified in CPR, basic life support, or both, which many jobs ask for[23]. 6) Check your state's rules[24]. Some states regulate this work, and your state licensing agency can tell you more[24].

O*NET puts the occupation in Job Zone Three, which it labels medium preparation[25].

What surgical assistants do

Surgical assistants help during operations under a surgeon's supervision[26]. Where state law allows, they may help open and close incisions, handle or remove tissue, put in implants, drains or catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels, and dress the wound[26]. Key tasks listed by O*NET include[27]:

Workers in this category report job titles such as Certified Surgical Technician, Scrub Technician, Certified Surgical Assistant, Surgical First Assistant and Registered Nurse First Assistant[2]. BLS counts surgical technologists as a separate occupation, with a median wage of $64,650[28].

Where they work

The handbook names hospitals (state, local and private) as the largest employer of surgical assistants and technologists[29].

In the operating room they wear scrubs along with sterile gowns, gloves, caps and masks[30]. The job can be hard on the body. You may stand for long stretches, and surgical technologists may have to lift heavy trays of supplies or help shift patients[30]. Workers can be exposed to infectious diseases and to unpleasant sights, smells and materials[30].

Injury risk is real. The handbook says surgical technologists have one of the highest injury and illness rates of any occupation, with slips, falls and overexertion among the causes[31]. Safe lifting and slip-resistant shoes help lower the risk[31].

Most people in this wider group work full time[32]. In hospitals they may work or be on call at night, on weekends and on holidays, and some shifts run longer than 8 hours[32]. In 2025, 8.1% of surgical assistants worked for themselves[33].

Job outlook

BLS expects the number of surgical assistant jobs to rise 6.1% between 2025 and 2035, which means going from about 24,400 jobs to about 25,900[4]. That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations[5].

Expect about 1,400 openings a year on average[7]. That count includes jobs that open up when workers retire or switch to other occupations, not only new positions[7]. Each year, about 2.5% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move into a different occupation[34].

The projection figures include self-employed workers[4]. The wage survey counted about 22,270 wage and salary jobs in May 2025, without the self-employed[35]. Each number counts a different group.

Is it a good fit?

The typical entry credential is a postsecondary nondegree award[8], and the median pay of $66,800 is above the all-occupations median of $50,980[1][3]. Job growth is projected to outpace the overall rate[4][5]. Location matters a lot, with state medians ranging from $40,160 to $123,390[13]. The work is physically demanding, can include on-call hours in hospitals, and the handbook reports a high injury rate for surgical technologists[30][31][32]. The facts suggest it suits people who are comfortable working with their hands, pay close attention to detail and listen carefully to spoken directions[36][37][38].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[28].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a surgical assistant make an hour?
The median was $32.11 an hour in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $19.08 an hour and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $51.74[10].
What degree do you need to be a surgical assistant?
BLS lists a postsecondary nondegree award as the typical entry education[8]. For the wider group of surgical assistants and technologists, the handbook says the usual credential is a certificate or associate's degree, earned through an accredited program[17][18].
Is a surgical assistant the same as a surgical technician?
Not in BLS data. Surgical technologists are a separate occupation, with a median wage of $64,650[28]. Some workers counted as surgical assistants report titles like Certified Surgical Technician or Scrub Technician[2], and some surgical technologists move into first assistant roles after extra on-the-job training[21].
Are surgical assistants in demand?
Yes, by BLS projections. Jobs should rise 6.1% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 1,400 openings a year[4][5][7].
What is the highest paying state for surgical assistants?
The District of Columbia had the highest median, $123,390, followed by Arizona at $111,170 and Colorado at $107,440[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Surgical Assistants in the US was $66,800 per year and $32.11 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. O*NET 29-9093.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Certified Surgical Technician (Certified Surgical Tech), CRNFA (Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant), CSA (Certified Surgical Assistant), CSFA (Certified Surgical First Assistant), GI Technician (Gastrointestinal Technician), RNFA (Registered Nurse First Assistant), Scrub Technician (Scrub Tech), Surgical First Assistant. O*NET OnLine
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Surgical Assistants is projected to grow 6.1% from 2025 to 2035, from about 24,400 to 25,900 jobs (a change of +1,500). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Surgical Assistants: 10th percentile $39,690, 25th percentile $50,170, 75th percentile $88,010, 90th percentile $107,610. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  7. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,400 openings for Surgical Assistants are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Surgical Assistants: education needed for entry: Postsecondary nondegree award; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Surgical Assistants was $72,710 per year and $34.96 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Surgical Assistants: 10th percentile $19.08, 25th percentile $24.12, 75th percentile $42.31, 90th percentile $51.74. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. Median annual wage for Surgical Assistants in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Surgical Assistants jobs: Texas 2,840; Illinois 2,300; Florida 1,260; California 1,210; Virginia 1,000. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Surgical Assistants (areas with at least 100 jobs): Florence, SC $133,380; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $102,730; Lexington-Fayette, KY $102,330; Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $100,820; Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $99,530; Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $93,380; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $87,080; Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $87,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Surgical Assistants jobs: Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 2,090 (median $80,210); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 680 (median $60,410); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 490 (median $87,080); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 430 (median $58,370); Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI 420 (median $81,690); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 370 (median $60,720). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. The BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook profile "Surgical Assistants and Technologists" covers Surgical Assistants together with other related occupations, so its text describes the wider group. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. O*NET 29-9093.00: Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job. O*NET OnLine
  26. O*NET description of Surgical Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  27. O*NET task list for Surgical Assistants. O*NET OnLine
  28. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of surgical assistants and technologists in 2025: Hospitals; state, local, and private 38%; Hospitals; state, local, and private 71%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: 8.1% of Surgical Assistants were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Surgical Assistants: 2.5% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 22,270 people were employed as Surgical Assistants in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  37. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  38. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers. The Occupational Outlook Handbook text covers a wider group of occupations than this page.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.