Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.
Surgical Assistants
SOC: 29-9093 O*NET: 29-9093.00
Median Salary
$60,290
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.1%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Job Zone 3
Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site.
What does a Surgical Assistants do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,540
10th percentile
Early Career
$49,140
25th percentile
Median
$60,290
50th percentile
Experienced
$80,860
75th percentile
Top Earners
$102,390
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,540
25th
$49,140
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,290
Mean: $67,190
75th
$80,860
90th
$102,390
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $62,850 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $49,140 and $80,860
- •Salary spread is 52.6% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 22,860 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:25,300
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services57.2%
Hospitals35.1%
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals34.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+5.1%
Annual Openings:1,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)25,300
Current
2034 (Projected)26,600
+5.1%
+1,300
Employment Change
+5.1%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Surgical Assistants professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 45 locations
Texas
2,770 jobs$76,5101.35x
Florida
2,080 jobs$50,9201.43x
Illinois
1,220 jobs$62,0301.35x
Virginia
1,210 jobs$58,4902.01x
Tennessee
1,010 jobs$78,3302.07x
Georgia
1,010 jobs$52,4301.41x
Maryland
950 jobs$58,2402.33x
North Carolina
890 jobs$50,8801.23x
Ohio
840 jobs$51,1801.02x
Michigan
760 jobs$55,6301.17x
Wisconsin
630 jobs$71,6301.45x
Oregon
600 jobs$61,9702.05x
Indiana
530 jobs$60,3801.11x
South Carolina
520 jobs$98,3401.55x
Pennsylvania
500 jobs$64,6700.56x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Active Listening
100%
#2
Speaking
94%
#3
Monitoring
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Reading Comprehension
74%
#6
Coordination
66%
#7
Service Orientation
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Operations Monitoring
46%
#10
Learning Strategies
40%
Skills Overview
Active Listening
advanced5.0
100%
Speaking
advanced4.7
94%
Monitoring
intermediate4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Reading Comprehension
basic3.7
74%
Coordination
intermediate3.3
66%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Active Listening
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Speaking
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Coordination
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Operations Monitoring
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Audio and Video Technicians82%
5 shared skills
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers82%
5 shared skills
Bus Drivers, School73%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels67%
5 shared skills
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians67%
5 shared skills
Computer User Support Specialists67%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
Learn on the Job:
- →Coordination
- →Service Orientation
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Monitoring
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Reading Comprehension
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Surgical Assistants
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
MEDITECH software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
MEDITECH software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)General Responsibilities (12)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Communication & Coordination (2)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Adjust and maintain operating room temperature, humidity, or lighting, according to surgeon's specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping100% perform100%
2
Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities97% perform98%
3
Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
Assist in the insertion, positioning, or suturing of closed-wound drainage systems.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination82% perform88%
8
Coordinate with anesthesia personnel to maintain patient temperature.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Communication & Coordination79% perform86%
9
Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Incise tissue layers in lower extremities to harvest veins.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on documentation & record-keeping activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Surgical Assistants
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Surgical Assistants professionals typically have a RCS Holland code and highly value relationships
RRealistic
CConventional
SSocial
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Surgical Assistants
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.70
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.67
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.67
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.66
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.60
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.53
Complete Work Styles Profile
Self-Control
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.7
Dependability
4.7
Integrity
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Concern for Others
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Cooperation
4.4
Achievement/Effort
4.3
Persistence
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Typical duration: Varies
Preparation Level
Job Zone 3
Medium Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Vocational school, on-the-job training, or associate degree
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training:
Training of more than one year
💼 Experience Requirement
Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience required
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Associate degree programs
- • Apprenticeships (1-2 years)
- • Vocational training with related experience
3
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Associate degree programsApprenticeships (1-2 years)Vocational training with related experience
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