Surgical Assistant salary in Salem, OR
Surgical Assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn a median of $75,710 a year ($36.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,080 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 6% lower than the Oregon statewide median of $80,450. There are 0.16 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Salem, OR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,000 | $29.33 |
| 25th percentile | $61,010 | $29.33 |
| Median | $75,710 | $36.40 |
| 75th percentile | $95,720 | $46.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $124,080 | $59.66 |
| Average (mean) | $81,320 | $39.10 |
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 | $6,309.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,154.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,911.92 |
| Weekly | $1,455.96 |
| Hourly | $36.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Oregon 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $86,890 | 120 |
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 Oregon statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salem, OR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $131,750 | $63.34 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,600 | $38.27 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $52,210 | $25.10 |
| Physicians, All Other | $373,970 | $179.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $162,600 | $78.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,970 | $48.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Pharmacist | $169,210 | $81.35 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $101,580 | $48.84 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $50,800 | $24.42 |
| Physician Assistant | $144,190 | $69.32 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,170 | $141.91 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salem, OR
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 Salem, OR?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Salem, OR metro area is $75,710 a year, or $36.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,000 for the lowest-paid 10% to $124,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Salem, OR?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Salem, OR metro area earn at least $124,080 a year. The top 25% earn $95,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Salem, OR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,000 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $61,010 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Salem, OR?
About 30 surgical assistants are employed in the Salem, OR metro area, not counting the self-employed.