Surgical Assistant salary in Rhode Island
Surgical Assistants in Rhode Island earn a median of $61,900 a year ($29.76 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $61,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,180 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $66,800. Rhode Island ranks 24th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. The average (mean) salary is $70,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| 25th percentile | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| Median | $61,900 | $29.76 |
| 75th percentile | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,180 | $46.72 |
| Average (mean) | $70,010 | $33.66 |
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 | $5,158.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,579.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,380.77 |
| Weekly | $1,190.38 |
| Hourly | $29.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $56,160 | 140 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $63,060 | $30.32 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $72,120 | $34.67 |
| Athletic Trainer | $63,750 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,380 | $21.34 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $75,780 | $36.44 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Rhode Island is $61,900 a year, or $29.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Rhode Island earn at least $97,180 a year. The top 25% earn $67,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,900 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $61,900 or less.