New Jersey Median
$90,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$43.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+36% vs US median
US median $66,800
State Rank
#5 of 44
state estimate
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in New Jersey?
A Surgical Assistant working in New Jersey earns a median salary of $90,710 per year, or about $43.61 per hour. That is 36% above the national median of $66,800 for this occupation.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $44,770 while the top 10% make $146,780 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $64,140 and $143,490 a year.
Surgical Assistant salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,770 | $21.52 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $64,140 | $30.84 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $90,710 | $43.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $143,490 | $68.99 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $146,780 | $70.57 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 5th 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 $100,820South 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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($90,710) 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 New Jersey?
The median Surgical Assistant salary in New Jersey is $90,710 per year, or about $43.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,770 at the entry level to $146,780 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Surgical Assistants about 36% more than the national median of $66,800. New Jersey ranks 5th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Surgical Assistants?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $90,710 a year. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.