Surgical Assistant salary in Montana
Surgical Assistants in Montana earn a median of $67,370 a year ($32.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,060 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $66,800. Montana ranks 17th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. 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 $72,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,800 | $26.35 |
| 25th percentile | $56,610 | $27.21 |
| Median | $67,370 | $32.39 |
| 75th percentile | $85,810 | $41.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,060 | $47.62 |
| Average (mean) | $72,500 | $34.86 |
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 | $5,614.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,807.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,591.15 |
| Weekly | $1,295.58 |
| Hourly | $32.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $67,370 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana 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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $79,140 | $38.05 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $79,070 | $38.01 |
| Athletic Trainer | $60,090 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $62,210 | $29.91 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $49,400 | $23.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,210 | $65.97 |
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $65,190 | $31.34 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $77,070 | $37.05 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $50,190 | $24.13 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Montana is $67,370 a year, or $32.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Montana?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Montana earn at least $99,060 a year. The top 25% earn $85,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,800 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $56,610 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Montana?
About 100 surgical assistants are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.