Surgical Assistant salary in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
Surgical Assistants in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn a median of $48,570 a year ($23.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,860 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 14% lower than the Michigan statewide median of $56,430. There are 0.19 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| 25th percentile | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Median | $48,570 | $23.35 |
| 75th percentile | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,860 | $40.32 |
| Average (mean) | $54,230 | $26.07 |
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 | $4,047.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,023.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,868.08 |
| Weekly | $934.04 |
| Hourly | $23.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Michigan 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 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the Michigan statewide figures.
Related jobs in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $79,440 | $38.19 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $75,980 | $36.53 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,430 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $82,230 | $39.53 |
| Registered Nurse | $97,280 | $46.77 |
| Physicians, All Other | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $43,330 | $20.83 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,910 | $28.32 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $69,300 | $33.32 |
| Pharmacist | $137,770 | $66.24 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.61 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,970 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,390 | $64.61 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $77,530 | $37.27 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI
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 Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area is $48,570 a year, or $23.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area earn at least $83,860 a year. The top 25% earn $66,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,460 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $37,760 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI?
About 350 surgical assistants are employed in the Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI metro area, not counting the self-employed.