Surgical Assistants Salary in California
Surgical Assistants in California earn a median annual wage of $62,540 —6.4% below the national median of $66,800. That ranks CA #22 of 44 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.47× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
All 44 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $123,390 | $59.32 | 90 | 0.89 |
| 2 | Arizona | $111,170 | $53.45 | — | — |
| 3 | Colorado | $107,440 | $51.65 | — | — |
| 4 | Nevada | $100,820 | $48.47 | 230 | 1.03 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $90,710 | $43.61 | — | — |
| 6 | South Carolina | $85,580 | $41.15 | 480 | 1.45 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $84,600 | $40.67 | 480 | 1.69 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $81,640 | $39.25 | 750 | 1.60 |
| 9 | Oregon | $80,450 | $38.68 | 220 | 0.77 |
| 10 | Illinois | $80,210 | $38.56 | 2,300 | 2.63 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do surgical assistants make in California?
The median annual wage for surgical assistants in California is $62,540, or $30.07 per hour. That is 6.4% below the national median of $66,800.
What is the entry-level surgical assistants salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $56,100 per year ($26.97/hour). The 25th percentile is $59,630.
How many people work as surgical assistants in California?
About 1,210 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for surgical assistants?
California ranks #22 of 44 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.47x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays surgical assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $123,390 per year, followed by Arizona ($111,170) and Colorado ($107,440).