District of Columbia Median
$123,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$59.32
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+85% vs US median
US median $66,800
State Rank
#1 of 44
90 employed here
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in District of Columbia?
Surgical Assistants in District of Columbia take home a median of $123,390 annually — roughly $59.32 an hour — which runs 85% above the national median of $66,800.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $59,030 while the top 10% make $145,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $71,200 and $145,780 a year.
Surgical Assistant salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,030 | $28.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $71,200 | $34.23 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $123,390 | $59.32 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $145,780 | $70.09 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,780 | $70.09 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 44 states and territories for Surgical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Surgical Assistant salary in other states
Arizona $111,170Colorado $107,440Nevada $100,820New Jersey $90,710South Carolina $85,580Kentucky $84,600Tennessee $81,640Oregon $80,450Illinois $80,210Virginia $78,910Wisconsin $78,030New Hampshire $77,670Ohio $77,450Minnesota $75,950Connecticut $67,580Montana $67,370Iowa $66,030Washington $65,440Texas $64,930Florida $62,550California $62,540New Mexico $62,010Rhode Island $61,900Alaska $61,210Pennsylvania $60,550New York $60,070North Carolina $59,920Maryland $58,130Kansas $57,810Indiana $56,620Idaho $56,460Massachusetts $56,430Michigan $56,430Hawaii $54,190Nebraska $53,190West Virginia $50,870Mississippi $50,810Arkansas $49,600Georgia $49,520Missouri $49,400Utah $44,990Alabama $41,710Oklahoma $40,160
Working as a Surgical Assistant in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 22,000 people work as Surgical Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($123,390) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in District of Columbia?
The median Surgical Assistant salary in District of Columbia is $123,390 per year, or about $59.32 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,030 at the entry level to $145,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Surgical Assistants about 85% more than the national median of $66,800. District of Columbia ranks 1st out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Surgical Assistants?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $123,390 a year. About 90 Surgical Assistants are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Surgical Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.