Surgical Assistant salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Surgical Assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $53,990 a year ($25.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,820 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 7% lower than the Maryland statewide median of $58,130. There are 0.15 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| 25th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| Median | $53,990 | $25.96 |
| 75th percentile | $97,210 | $46.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,820 | $61.93 |
| Average (mean) | $72,770 | $34.99 |
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 | $4,499.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,249.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,076.54 |
| Weekly | $1,038.27 |
| Hourly | $25.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $53,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Maryland 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,080 | n/a |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,410 | 680 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $66,750 | $32.09 |
| Athletic Trainer | $62,560 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $89,190 | $42.88 |
| Registered Nurse | $99,550 | $47.86 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,230 | $21.75 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $57,930 | $27.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,990 | $63.46 |
| Physicians, All Other | $218,770 | $105.18 |
| Pharmacist | $138,110 | $66.40 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $322,890 | $155.24 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,810 | $50.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $53,990 a year, or $25.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,820 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $128,820 a year. The top 25% earn $97,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,600 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $47,460 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 200 surgical assistants are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.