Surgical Assistant salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Surgical Assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $45,390 a year ($21.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 8% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $49,520. There are 0.44 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Median | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| 75th percentile | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Average (mean) | $57,070 | $27.44 |
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 | $3,782.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,891.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,745.77 |
| Weekly | $872.88 |
| Hourly | $21.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,570 | 110 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,720 | 370 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,540 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,910 | 30 |
| Savannah, GA | $38,320 | 60 |
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 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $64,590 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $60,240 | $28.96 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $60,610 | $29.14 |
| Registered Nurse | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,600 | $29.61 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,080 | $18.31 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $60,280 | $28.98 |
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Physicians, All Other | $235,360 | $113.15 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,180 | $22.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $45,390 a year, or $21.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $81,330 a year. The top 25% earn $81,330 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,010 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $45,390 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 40 surgical assistants are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.