Surgical Assistant salary in New Jersey
Surgical Assistants in New Jersey earn a median of $90,710 a year ($43.61 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $44,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,780 for the top 10%. That is 36% higher than the national median of $66,800. New Jersey ranks 5th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. The average (mean) salary is $97,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,770 | $21.53 |
| 25th percentile | $64,140 | $30.84 |
| Median | $90,710 | $43.61 |
| 75th percentile | $143,490 | $68.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,780 | $70.57 |
| Average (mean) | $97,840 | $47.04 |
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 | $7,559.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,779.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,488.85 |
| Weekly | $1,744.42 |
| Hourly | $43.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $90,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in New Jersey at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $67,080 | n/a |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $62,990 | n/a |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Athletic Trainer | $76,210 | — |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $76,570 | $36.81 |
| Genetic Counselor | $117,750 | $56.61 |
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $75,160 | $36.13 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,610 | $19.04 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,010 | $137.02 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | $66.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $68,450 | $32.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for surgical assistants in New Jersey is $90,710 a year, or $43.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,770 for the lowest-paid 10% to $146,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in New Jersey earn at least $146,780 a year. The top 25% earn $143,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,770 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $64,140 or less.