Surgical Assistant salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Surgical Assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $80,550 a year ($38.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,600 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 23% higher than the Washington statewide median of $65,440. There are 0.02 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.17). The average (mean) salary is $81,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,580 | $22.88 |
| 25th percentile | $67,060 | $32.24 |
| Median | $80,550 | $38.72 |
| 75th percentile | $94,940 | $45.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,600 | $49.33 |
| Average (mean) | $81,360 | $39.12 |
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 | $6,712.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,356.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,098.08 |
| Weekly | $1,549.04 |
| Hourly | $38.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,550 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $77,970 | $37.49 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $64,440 | $30.98 |
| Athletic Trainer | $69,980 | — |
| Genetic Counselor | $102,920 | $49.48 |
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $61,320 | $29.48 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $330,560 | $158.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | $64.30 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $85,690 | $41.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $65,530 | $31.51 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $105,200 | $50.58 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $80,550 a year, or $38.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,580 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $102,600 a year. The top 25% earn $94,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,580 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $67,060 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 50 surgical assistants are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.