Surgical Assistant salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Surgical Assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $74,080 a year ($35.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,720 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 50% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $49,400. There are 0.10 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $74,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,100 | $17.84 |
| 25th percentile | $47,330 | $22.76 |
| Median | $74,080 | $35.62 |
| 75th percentile | $85,020 | $40.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,720 | $50.83 |
| Average (mean) | $74,740 | $35.93 |
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 | $6,173.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,086.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,849.23 |
| Weekly | $1,424.62 |
| Hourly | $35.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $74,080 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $80,210 | 2,090 |
| Springfield, IL | $78,210 | n/a |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,490 | 40 |
| Springfield, MO | $37,540 | 60 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $68,990 | $33.17 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $86,110 | $41.40 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,900 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $61,830 | $29.73 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $47,570 | $22.87 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $76,390 | $36.73 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $74,080 a year, or $35.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $105,720 a year. The top 25% earn $85,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,100 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $47,330 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 130 surgical assistants are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.