Surgical Assistant salary in District of Columbia
Surgical Assistants in District of Columbia earn a median of $123,390 a year ($59.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,780 for the top 10%. That is 85% higher than the national median of $66,800. District of Columbia ranks 1st of 44 states for surgical assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.13 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,920, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,030 | $28.38 |
| 25th percentile | $71,200 | $34.23 |
| Median | $123,390 | $59.32 |
| 75th percentile | $145,780 | $70.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,780 | $70.09 |
| Average (mean) | $110,920 | $53.33 |
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 | $10,282.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,141.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,745.77 |
| Weekly | $2,372.88 |
| Hourly | $59.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $123,390 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $113,640 | $54.64 |
| Athletic Trainer | $74,450 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Genetic Counselor | $100,380 | $48.26 |
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $55,920 | $26.88 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,740 | $36.42 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,560 | $36.81 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $102,770 | $49.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for surgical assistants in District of Columbia is $123,390 a year, or $59.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $145,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in District of Columbia earn at least $145,780 a year. The top 25% earn $145,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,030 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $71,200 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in District of Columbia?
About 90 surgical assistants are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.