Surgical Assistants: 22,270 jobs, median pay $66,800 · where the jobs are in the U.S.

22,270

Jobs in the U.S.

People employed, May 2025

$66,800

Median pay a year

Middle half: $50,170–$88,010

1,400

Annual openings

10-year change: +6.1%

LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 76 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $80,210 · LCA filings 02,090$80,2100

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $60,410 · LCA filings 0680$60,4100

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $87,080 · LCA filings 0490$87,0800

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHMedian pay $58,370 · LCA filings 0430$58,3700

Milwaukee–Waukesha, WIMedian pay $81,690 · LCA filings 0420$81,6900

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $60,720 · LCA filings 0370$60,7200

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $48,570 · LCA filings 0350$48,5700

Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $87,080 · LCA filings 0340$87,0800

Richmond, VAMedian pay $51,030 · LCA filings 0340$51,0300

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $78,240 · LCA filings 0290$78,2400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings

Florence, SCEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$133,3802000

Cincinnati, OH–KY–INEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$102,7302000

Lexington–Fayette, KYEmployment 100 · LCA filings 0$102,3301000

Las Vegas–Henderson–North Las Vegas, NVEmployment 200 · LCA filings 0$100,8202000

Virginia Beach–Chesapeake–Norfolk, VA–NCEmployment 270 · LCA filings 0$99,5302700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV

Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $74,277 · Level III $78,354 · Level IV $82,430$70,200$74,277$78,354$82,430

Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $67,080 · Level III $82,722 · Level IV $98,384$51,418$67,080$82,722$98,384

Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $68,182 · Level III $85,779 · Level IV $103,376$50,586$68,182$85,779$103,376

Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NHLevel II $57,637 · Level III $66,206 · Level IV $74,755$49,088$57,637$66,206$74,755

Milwaukee–Waukesha, WILevel II $67,288 · Level III $79,581 · Level IV $91,874$54,995$67,288$79,581$91,874

Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $60,549 · Level III $74,714 · Level IV $88,858$46,405$60,549$74,714$88,858

Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $45,802 · Level III $54,163 · Level IV $62,504$37,461$45,802$54,163$62,504

Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $78,062 · Level III $87,277 · Level IV $96,491$68,848$78,062$87,277$96,491

Richmond, VALevel II $61,027 · Level III $72,488 · Level IV $83,949$49,566$61,027$72,488$83,949

Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $63,170 · Level III $83,491 · Level IV $103,813$42,848$63,170$83,491$103,813

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT

Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsCIP 51.09OPT · up to 12 months673OPT · up to 12 months

See Surgical Assistants in every metro area

All 76 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology