Healthcare career

Surgical Assistant

Also called: Certified Surgical Assistant · First Assistant · CSFA · Surgical First Assistant

What surgical assistants do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a surgical assistant do?

Surgical assistants help surgeons during operations by providing exposure, controlling bleeding, suturing and helping position patients. The median pay is $66,800 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 1–2 years, and employment is projected to grow +6.1% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $66,800
    $32.11/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +6.1%
    2025–35, faster than average
  • Openings per year
    1,400
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    Postsecondary nondegree award
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    1–2 years
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    24,400
    Employment, 2025

What surgical assistants do

Surgical assistants are the surgeon’s second set of skilled hands. They help position and prep patients, retract tissue so the surgeon can see, control bleeding, suction, place and tie sutures, close incisions and apply dressings. They work in many specialties, from orthopedics to cardiac surgery.

Most start as surgical technologists or other clinicians and complete a postsecondary surgical assisting program, then earn a national certification.

Typical duties

  • Position and prep patients
  • Retract tissue for exposure
  • Control bleeding
  • Suction and irrigate
  • Suture and close incisions
  • Apply dressings
  • Assist with instruments and devices

Work environment and schedule

Surgical assistants work in operating rooms in hospitals and surgery centers.

Schedule: Most work full-time with early starts, long cases and on-call duty.

A day in the life

  1. Review the surgery schedule.
  2. Position a patient for spine surgery.
  3. Retract and suction during the procedure.
  4. Close the incision.

See a full day in the life of a surgical assistant →

Surgical Assistant salary

Half of surgical assistants earned more than $66,800 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $39,690 for the lowest 10% to $107,610 for the top 10%.

Full surgical assistant pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a surgical assistant

  1. Gain OR experience
  2. Complete a surgical assisting program
  3. Complete clinical cases
  4. Earn certification
  5. Advance

A postsecondary surgical assisting program is typical, often after experience as a surgical technologist, plus national certification.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a surgical assistant →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Surgical exposure
  • Suturing
  • Hemostasis
  • Sterile technique
  • Patient positioning

People skills

  • Teamwork
  • Focus
  • Anticipation
  • Stamina

All surgical assistant skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Hands-on surgical role
  • Good pay
  • High responsibility
  • Variety of specialties

Cons

  • Long hours standing
  • On-call duty
  • High-pressure environment
  • Exposure to blood and fluids

Certifications and licenses

  • Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA): NBSTSA credential.
  • Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA): NSAA credential.
  • Surgical Assistant-Certified (SA-C): ABSA credential.
  • BLS CPR: Basic life support.

Career path

  1. Surgical Technologist: Common start.
  2. Surgical Assistant: Assist surgeons.
  3. Lead Assistant: Lead teams.
  4. Surgical Services Coordinator: Manage teams.

Learn the job before day one

Our Surgical Assistant training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as provide surgical exposure and close a skin incision, safety and how to land your first job.

View Surgical Assistant trainingIs this career right for me?

Surgical Technologist

Prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.

  • $64,650
  • 12–24 months

Registered Nurse

Assess patients, give treatments, coordinate care and educate families.

  • $97,550
  • 2–4 years

Orthopedic Surgeon

Repair bones, joints, ligaments and tendons with surgery and treatment.

  • $358,550
  • 14 years after high school

Compare: Surgical Assistant vs. Surgical Tech · Surgical Assistant vs. RN · Surgical Assistant vs. Orthopedic Surgeon · Surgical Assistant vs. Sterile Processing Tech

Surgical Assistant FAQ

How do you become a surgical assistant?

Usually through surgical technologist experience plus a surgical assisting program.

Do surgical assistants suture?

Yes, they often close incisions.

Is certification required?

Most employers require it.

How much does a surgical assistant make?

The median annual wage for surgical assistants was $66,800 ($32.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $39,690 and the highest 10% earned more than $107,610.

How long does it take to become a surgical assistant?

Most people need about 1–2 years of training. A postsecondary surgical assisting program is typical, often after experience as a surgical technologist, plus national certification.

Do you need a degree to be a surgical assistant?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “postsecondary nondegree award” as the typical entry-level education.

More surgical assistant questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Enroll in trainingTake fit quiz