Surgical Assistant salary in Iowa
Surgical Assistants in Iowa earn a median of $66,030 a year ($31.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,420 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $66,800. Iowa ranks 18th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.02 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.15). The average (mean) salary is $65,780, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| 25th percentile | $55,280 | $26.58 |
| Median | $66,030 | $31.75 |
| 75th percentile | $66,660 | $32.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,420 | $49.24 |
| Average (mean) | $65,780 | $31.63 |
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 | $5,502.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,751.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,539.62 |
| Weekly | $1,269.81 |
| Hourly | $31.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $55,430 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,630 | $37.80 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,160 | $62.58 |
| Pharmacist | $138,860 | $66.76 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $65,930 | $31.70 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,560 | $46.90 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,010 | $40.39 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,910 | $23.04 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Iowa is $66,030 a year, or $31.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Iowa?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Iowa earn at least $102,420 a year. The top 25% earn $66,660 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,330 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $55,280 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Iowa?
About 30 surgical assistants are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.