Surgical Assistant salary in Richmond, VA
Surgical Assistants in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $51,030 a year ($24.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,120 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 35% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $78,910. There are 0.51 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $72,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| 25th percentile | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Median | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| 75th percentile | $102,120 | $49.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $106,120 | $51.02 |
| Average (mean) | $72,600 | $34.90 |
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 | $4,252.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,126.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,962.69 |
| Weekly | $981.35 |
| Hourly | $24.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,030 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,260 | 30 |
| 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 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Athletic Trainer | $60,370 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $52,100 | $25.05 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $72,340 | $34.78 |
| Registered Nurse | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $64,030 | $30.78 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $44,030 | $21.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,090 | $136.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Pharmacist | $144,940 | $69.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.37 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $80,600 | $38.75 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,500 | $23.80 |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Richmond, VA metro area is $51,030 a year, or $24.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $106,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $106,120 a year. The top 25% earn $102,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,030 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $51,030 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Richmond, VA?
About 340 surgical assistants are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.