Illinois Median
$80,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+20% vs US median
US median $66,800
State Rank
#10 of 44
2,300 employed here
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in Illinois?
A Surgical Assistant working in Illinois earns a median salary of $80,210 per year, or about $38.56 per hour. That is 20% above the national median of $66,800 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $64,220 while the top 10% make $83,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $80,210 and $80,210 a year.
Surgical Assistant salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,220 | $30.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $80,210 | $38.56 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $80,210 | $38.56 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,210 | $38.56 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,740 | $40.26 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 10th out of 44 states and territories for Surgical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Surgical Assistant salary in other states
District of Columbia $123,390Arizona $111,170Colorado $107,440Nevada $100,820New Jersey $90,710South Carolina $85,580Kentucky $84,600Tennessee $81,640Oregon $80,450Virginia $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($80,210) 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 Illinois?
The median Surgical Assistant salary in Illinois is $80,210 per year, or about $38.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $64,220 at the entry level to $83,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Surgical Assistants about 20% more than the national median of $66,800. Illinois ranks 10th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Surgical Assistants?
Yes on pay — Illinois pays above the national median for this occupation, at $80,210 a year. About 2,300 Surgical Assistants are employed in Illinois. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.