Surgical Assistants Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $62,030 +2.9% vs national
Median hourly $29.82
10th percentile $46,060
90th percentile $93,120
National median $60,290

Compare Surgical Assistants salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Chicago, IL-IN stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Surgical Assistants
in
Chicago, IL-IN
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,060
    25th
    $62,030
    50th (median)
    $62,030
    75th
    $75,730
    90th
    $93,120

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Assistants salary vs area income 70% Median Surgical Assistants salary is 30% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surgical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Florence, SC $133,380
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $116,140
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $115,610
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $110,020
    Nevada $110,020
    Arizona $107,500

    Nearby metros — Surgical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Canton-Massillon, OH $97,800
    Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN $90,210
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $88,910
    Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI $80,850
    Amarillo, TX $78,090
    Jacksonville, FL $77,600

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $96,480
    Pharmacy Technicians $45,570
    Physicians, All Other $215,680
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $72,920
    Pharmacists $137,610
    Physical Therapists $104,200

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Surgical Assistants make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Assistants in Chicago, IL-IN is $29.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.56 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Surgical Assistants salaries?

    The median Surgical Assistants salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 2.9% above the national median of $60,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Surgical Assistants in Chicago?

    Entry-level Surgical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $46,060 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $62,030.