The median pay for Surgical Assistants is $66,800 a year ($32.11/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% through 2035, with about 1,400 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
- SOC 29-9093
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Surgical Assistant in four numbers
- Median pay
- $66,800a year, or $32.11/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $40KTop 10% $108K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +6.1%Faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+6.1%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +6.1% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,40024,400 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202524.4K
- Projected 203525.9K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 24.4K Projected 2035 25.9K - Typical education
- Certificateneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
Also advertised as: 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).
Pay
How much do Surgical Assistants make?
Every surgical assistant in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$66,800
Middle half earn $50,170 to $88,010
- 10th
- $39,690
- 25th
- $50,170
- 75th
- $88,010
- 90th
- $107,610
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $39,690 |
| 25th | $50,170 |
| Median | $66,800 |
| 75th | $88,010 |
| 90th | $107,610 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $66,800
- Median hourly wage
- $32.11/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $72,710
- People employed
- 22,270
Versus all US occupations
At $66,800, Surgical Assistants earn 31% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $15,820 a year.
Versus healthcare practitioners and technical occupations
Inside the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical group, where the middle occupation pays $102,760, this is 35% below the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $107,610 or more while the bottom 10% earn $39,690, a gap of 2.7×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 41% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
District of Columbia pays the most at $123,390, and still leads at $112,274 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Surgical Assistants the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $123,390 | $112,274 | 90 |
| 2Arizona | $111,170 | $110,422 | N/A |
| 3Colorado | $107,440 | $104,258 | N/A |
| 4Nevada | $100,820 | $100,841 | 230 |
| 5New Jersey | $90,710 | $83,369 | N/A |
| 6South Carolina | $85,580 | $91,286 | 480 |
| 7Kentucky | $84,600 | $93,834 | 480 |
| 8Tennessee | $81,640 | $88,865 | 750 |
| 9Oregon | $80,450 | $77,834 | 220 |
| 10Illinois | $80,210 | $80,244 | 2,300 |
Job outlook
Is Surgical Assistant a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Faster than average. +6.1% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Surgical Assistants | +6.1% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Faster than average
BLS projects employment of Surgical Assistants to change 6.1% over 2025–2035, against 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,500 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,400 openings are projected each year, 5.7% of the 24,400 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Overall employment of surgical assistants and technologists is projected to grow 5 percent from 2025 to 2035, faster than the average for all occupations.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
The aging population is expected to increase the demand for surgical procedures, which should result in a greater need for surgical assistants and technologists. A rise in the number of surgeries among all age groups also is expected to support job growth.
Heightened demand for these workers is expected in outpatient settings, such as ambulatory surgery centers. These facilities are seeing an increase in the number of surgeries because of advances in medical technology and changes in insurers’ policies.
Getting in
How to become a Surgical Assistant
Surgical assistants and technologists typically need a certificate or an associate’s degree. Employers may require or prefer that workers have certification. Some states regulate these workers.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Postsecondary nondegree award
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Some preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
Full BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entryThe work
What does a Surgical Assistant do?
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.
Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. Surgical assistants, also called surgical first assistants, help surgeons with tasks such as making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Surgical technologists, also called operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms, arrange equipment, and help doctors and first assistants during surgeries.
Day-to-day tasks
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
- Gather, arrange, or assemble instruments or supplies.
- Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
- Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
- Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
- Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most surgical assistants and technologists work full time. Surgical assistants and technologists employed in hospitals may work or be on call during nights, weekends, and holidays. They may also be required to work shifts lasting longer than 8 hours.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeStanding
NeverAlmost all the timeOn their feet more than half the working day.
Bending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the timeRegular bending or twisting.
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantConstant contact with other people.
Face-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayHandling conflict situations at least monthly.
Cost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely seriousMistakes carry very serious consequences.
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lot
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where surgical assistants work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Hospitals; state, local, and private38%
- Offices of dentists25%
- Offices of physicians16%
- Self-employed workers8%
- Outpatient care centers4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | 38% |
| Offices of dentists | 25% |
| Offices of physicians | 16% |
| Self-employed workers | 8% |
| Outpatient care centers | 4% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Active Listening4.0
- Speaking3.8
- Reading Comprehension3.6
- Critical Thinking3.6
- Monitoring3.6
- Writing3.1
- Learning Strategies3.1
- Active Learning3.0
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 3.8 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.6 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.6 |
| Monitoring | 3.6 |
| Writing | 3.1 |
| Learning Strategies | 3.1 |
| Active Learning | 3.0 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Coordination3.4
- Service Orientation3.4
- Complex Problem Solving3.3
- Operations Monitoring3.3
- Social Perceptiveness3.1
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1
- Operation and Control2.9
- Time Management2.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Coordination | 3.4 |
| Service Orientation | 3.4 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.3 |
| Operations Monitoring | 3.3 |
| Social Perceptiveness | 3.1 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.1 |
| Operation and Control | 2.9 |
| Time Management | 2.9 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Medical software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Presentation software · in demand
- Spreadsheet software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Surgical Assistant?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Surgical Assistant |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 6 |
| Investigative | 3 |
| Artistic | 1 |
| Social | 4 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors, combined with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data.
- Realistic5.7
- Conventional4.4
- Social3.8
- Investigative3.5
- Enterprising1.8
- Artistic1.0
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Surgical Assistant
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More healthcare practitioners and technical careers
Median annual pay, with surgical assistants highlighted
- Anesthesiologist$391,490
- Physician Assistant$135,880
- Nurse Practitioner$132,300
- Physical Therapist$102,760
- Dental Hygienist$98,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$96,590
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$80,110
- Surgical Assistant$66,800
- Surgical Technologist$64,650
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Anesthesiologist | $391,490 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,100 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $96,590 |
| Radiologic Technologist and Technician | $80,110 |
| Surgical Assistant | $66,800 |
| Surgical Technologist | $64,650 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Surgical Assistant appears on
Questions
Surgical Assistant: frequently asked questions
How much do Surgical Assistants make?
Surgical Assistants earn a median of $66,800 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 31% above the $50,980 US median across all occupations. That works out at $32.11/hr. The middle half earn between $50,170 and $88,010. The top 10% earn $107,610 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Surgical Assistant?
Not a degree, but you do need credentialed training: BLS lists a postsecondary non-degree award (a certificate or license program) as the typical entry route for Surgical Assistants.
Is Surgical Assistant a growing career?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6.1% over 2025–2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,400 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Surgical Assistant do?
Surgical assistants and technologists help with surgical operations. A core O*NET task: monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures. Employers most often ask for Medical software, Office suite software, Presentation software.
Which states pay Surgical Assistants the most?
The highest state medians for Surgical Assistants are District of Columbia ($123,390), Arizona ($111,170), Colorado ($107,440) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Surgical Assistant?
O*NET scores Surgical Assistants highest on the Realistic, Conventional and Social interest areas, so the work mixes hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors with organising, following procedures and working precisely with data. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISFJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.