Radiologic Technologist
Median wage · national
$80,110
Range: $65K – $99K
Employed
230K
Openings/yr
13K
Typically: associate's degree
HEALTH
Surgical Assistants
Surgical Assistants earn $66,800 nationally at the median. The middle 50% of workers fall between $50,170 and $88,010. Where you land depends on specialization, employer, and experience.
About Surgical Assistants
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.
- Median Wage
- $66,800
- Employed Nationally
- 22K
- Openings / Year
- 1,600
- Entry Education
- Postsecondary nondegree award
- Job Zone
- Zone 3: Medium Preparation
Also known as:
Certified First Assistant (CFA)
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA)
Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA)
Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA)
How Much Do Surgical Assistants Make?
Surgical Assistants earn $66,800 nationally, near the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,170 and $88,010. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
$66,800
National Median (Annual)
Near the national median for college graduates.
$50K–$88K
Middle 50% Range
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
Earnings Range
$50,170
Entry-level
$66,800
Median
$88,010
Experienced
What Do Surgical Assistants Do?
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Surgical Assistants roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
What You'll Do
- Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- 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.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
Core Skills Employers Look For
Active Listening
Speaking
Monitoring
Critical Thinking
Reading Comprehension
Who Thrives Here
R
Realistic
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
C
Conventional
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
S
Social
Working closely with people, teaching, advising, or helping others navigate challenges is a defining feature of this career's daily work.
Where Do Surgical Assistants Work?
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Work Setting
Mixed
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Physical Demands
Light
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Stress Level
Moderate
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
What Is the Job Outlook for Surgical Assistants?
The BLS projects +5.1% employment change for Surgical Assistants through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,600 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
↗ +5.1%
10-Year Growth (2024–2034)
About as fast as average.
1,600
Annual Openings
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
22K
Currently Employed
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
Where the Jobs Are
The five states below employ the most Surgical Assistants professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $66,800 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 2,770 | $76,510 | +14.5% |
| 2 | Florida | 2,080 | $50,920 | -23.8% |
| 3 | Illinois | 1,220 | $62,030 | -7.1% |
| 4 | Virginia | 1,210 | $58,490 | -12.4% |
| 5 | Georgia | 1,010 | $52,430 | -21.5% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
How to Get Here
Most Surgical Assistants positions require a postsecondary nondegree award to qualify. The program below is the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
Typical Entry Education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Job Zone
Zone 3: Medium Preparation
A medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience.
Degree Programs That Lead Here
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allied Health Diagnostic | 85,413 | $70,786 | 1,768 |
Top Colleges for Aspiring Surgical Assistants
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
| 2 | Stanford University Stanford, CA | 92 | $13,807 | $124,080 |
| 3 | North Florida College Madison, FL | 91 | $804 | $33,929 |
| 4 | University of Michigan-Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI | 91 | $13,138 | $83,648 |
| 5 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, NC | 90 | $11,655 | $72,200 |
| 6 | California State University-Long Beach Long Beach, CA | 90 | $10,440 | $64,403 |
Plan Your Path
Once you've sized up Surgical Assistants, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
College ROI Calculator
See if the degree that leads to Surgical Assistants pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
College Cost Calculator
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Compare Colleges
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
College Match Quiz
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Surgical Assistants Pros & Cons
The data on Surgical Assistants shows 3 measurable strengths and 1 real trade-offs. All points are drawn from BLS wage data, employment projections, and IPEDS program completions.
PROS
- Competitive salary $66,800 median wage puts this career near or above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- Steady job outlook The BLS projects +5.1% growth through 2034, keeping pace with the national average. Demand is stable and annual openings remain consistent.
- Accessible entry path The typical entry requirement is a postsecondary nondegree award, lower than many comparable-paying careers. This creates a shorter path from training to first paycheck.
CONS
- Entry-level pay well below the national median The 25th percentile wage of $50,170 is considerably below the $66,800 median. Early-career workers typically spend 5 or more years building toward typical pay. Factor this into any program ROI calculation.
Surgical Assistants Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Surgical Assistants professionals earn?
The national median annual wage for Surgical Assistants is $66,800, near the national median for full-time workers. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,170 and $88,010. Pay varies by employer size, industry sector, specialization, and geography. National figures are a starting point, not a guarantee.
Is Surgical Assistants a good career?
For people genuinely interested in the work, yes. At $66,800 median, with +5.1% projected growth through 2034, there is a real financial case and a stable market for new entrants. Compare program net price against local salary outcomes (not just the national median) before committing.
How do I become a Surgical Assistants?
Most Surgical Assistants positions require a postsecondary nondegree award as the minimum credential. a medium amount of preparation is required, often an associate degree, certificate program, or apprenticeship, plus some related experience. Programs like Allied Health Diagnostic are common starting points.
What is the job outlook for Surgical Assistants?
The BLS projects +5.1% employment change for Surgical Assistants through 2034, about as fast as average compared to all occupations. About 1,600 job openings per year are projected, including new positions and replacements for workers who retire or change careers. 22K people currently work in this occupation nationwide (BLS May 2024).
What skills do Surgical Assistants professionals need?
O*NET data identifies the core skills employers consistently prioritize for Surgical Assistants roles: Active Listening, Speaking, Monitoring, Critical Thinking, and Reading Comprehension. These develop through formal education and hands-on work. Programs with internship or co-op requirements give you a meaningful head start on the ones that take time to build.
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