Surgical Assistant salary in Alabama
Surgical Assistants in Alabama earn a median of $41,710 a year ($20.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,460 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $66,800. Alabama ranks 43rd of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.22 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,310, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Median | $41,710 | $20.05 |
| 75th percentile | $45,900 | $22.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Average (mean) | $41,310 | $19.86 |
Half of surgical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,475.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,737.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,604.23 |
| Weekly | $802.12 |
| Hourly | $20.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $41,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 |
| Arizona | $111,170 |
| Colorado | $107,440 |
| Nevada | $100,820 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 |
| South Carolina | $85,580 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 |
| Oregon | $80,450 |
| Illinois | $80,210 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $46,940 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $69,520 | $33.43 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,030 | $27.42 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,030 | $18.77 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $36,680 | $17.63 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Surgical Technologist | $49,420 | $23.76 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make in Alabama?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Alabama is $41,710 a year, or $20.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Alabama?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Alabama earn at least $47,460 a year. The top 25% earn $45,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,280 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $37,910 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Alabama?
About 470 surgical assistants are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.