Surgical Assistant salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Surgical Assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $80,210 a year ($38.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,090 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,210 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is about the same as the Illinois statewide median of $80,210. There are 0.46 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $78,390, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,220 | $30.88 |
| 25th percentile | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Median | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| 75th percentile | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Average (mean) | $78,390 | $37.69 |
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 | $6,684.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,342.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,085 |
| Weekly | $1,542.50 |
| Hourly | $38.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,210 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,730 | 200 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,210 | n/a |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,490 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $74,080 | 130 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $65,910 | 110 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $56,120 | 250 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $51,350 | 140 |
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $72,750 | $34.98 |
| Athletic Trainer | $65,780 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $63,310 | $30.44 |
| Genetic Counselor | $95,880 | $46.10 |
| Registered Nurse | $100,490 | $48.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $94,820 | $45.59 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Pharmacist | $140,880 | $67.73 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,490 | $47.35 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,740 | $63.34 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $80,210 a year, or $38.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $80,210 a year. The top 25% earn $80,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,220 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $80,210 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 2,090 surgical assistants are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.