Surgical Assistant Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Surgical Assistants in Pennsylvania, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$60,550
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $66,800
State Rank
#26 of 44
240 employed here

How much does a Surgical Assistant make in Pennsylvania?

A Surgical Assistant working in Pennsylvania earns a median salary of $60,550 per year, or about $29.11 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $66,800 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $43,080 while the top 10% make $107,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,410 and $83,570 a year.

Surgical Assistant salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,080$20.71
25th percentile (early career)$50,410$24.24
50th percentile (median)$60,550$29.11
75th percentile (experienced)$83,570$40.18
90th percentile (top earners)$107,750$51.80

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories for Surgical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$123,390
2Arizona$111,170
3Colorado$107,440
4Nevada$100,820
5New Jersey$90,710

Working as a Surgical Assistant in Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($60,550) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Surgical Assistant salary in Pennsylvania is $60,550 per year, or about $29.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,080 at the entry level to $107,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Surgical Assistants about 9% less than the national median of $66,800. Pennsylvania ranks 26th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Surgical Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $60,550 a year. About 240 Surgical Assistants are employed in Pennsylvania. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.