Surgical Assistant salary in Champaign-Urbana, IL
Surgical Assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn a median of $74,490 a year ($35.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,410 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 7% lower than the Illinois statewide median of $80,210. There are 0.36 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,640 | $28.67 |
| 25th percentile | $60,810 | $29.23 |
| Median | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| 75th percentile | $74,490 | $35.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,410 | $49.24 |
| Average (mean) | $74,830 | $35.98 |
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 | $6,207.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,103.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,865 |
| Weekly | $1,432.50 |
| Hourly | $35.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,210 | 2,090 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,210 | n/a |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $74,080 | 130 |
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 Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Champaign-Urbana, IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $65,400 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $56,850 | $27.33 |
| Registered Nurse | $90,230 | $43.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $423,260 | $203.49 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,100 | $65.92 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,970 | $18.25 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,130 | $30.83 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $53,110 | $25.54 |
| Pharmacist | $139,270 | $66.96 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,760 | $32.10 |
| Dental Hygienist | $81,110 | $39.00 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $82,570 | $39.70 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,840 | $47.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $80,040 | $38.48 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Champaign-Urbana, IL
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 Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area is $74,490 a year, or $35.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,640 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area earn at least $102,410 a year. The top 25% earn $74,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,640 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $60,810 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Champaign-Urbana, IL?
About 40 surgical assistants are employed in the Champaign-Urbana, IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.