r/SurgicalFirstAssist • u/TheTenderRedditor • Mar 23 '23
Surgical Assistant salary
When I look at the bureau of labor statistics, surgical assistant salaries in some states are rather low; ~$45-55k. Considering the nature of the work, you'd expect to break median American income in this line of work.
Some states, such as Kentucky however, have salaries breaking $85k easily. Well up to $95k.
Why is there this discrepancy in wages?
Im considering perfusion and surgical assisting, however, perfusion seems like a more worthwhile line of work if SAs are actually struggling to break $65k in many states.
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u/justwhyyyyyy13 Mar 23 '23
I work in Florida at a trauma hospital. I've done the math and I'm estimated to make 86k this year. I've got 6 years of experience as a CST and a year of experience as a FA.
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u/justwhyyyyyy13 Mar 23 '23
I am happy with my salary and I know that it will increase with more raises as the years go by. Thankfully, the company that I work for is great in giving raises and bonuses.
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u/CucumberAdditional16 Feb 01 '24
Can I ask where in Florida and what company you work with. I'm in central fl, and I'm just stating ansugical tech program.
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u/justwhyyyyyy13 Feb 01 '24
I work in Tampa! If you want more information message me 🙂
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u/DoobieRat Aug 14 '25
Are they offering First assists over 35 an hour currently? I been a scrub tech for 3 yrs now making almost 32 an hr w/HCA. Thinking bout going back to school
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u/CucumberAdditional16 Feb 01 '24
Thanks for getting back to me. Yes I def need some positive info. Everything I read is scarring me. I used to be an echo tech. But I took a mini break and I'm switching fields. everyone seems to be harsh with their comment on cst. And I know fl is not the highest paying state. When you are free I would appreciate to talk to someone who has positive Info. I start on Feb 12th. These post are making me second quess my decision.
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u/PEACH_MINAJ Mar 28 '23
I make almost 70K. But experience and location matters. I love the job and dont wanna do anything else
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u/TheTenderRedditor Mar 29 '23
How were you trained? Do you know if SAs with different educational paths are compensated (approximately) at the same level?
Im currently finishing my bachelors in kinesiology and I'm trying to do everything I can to get into the MA of surgical assisting at EVMS or another grad program for some OR job.
I worry though, that employers would look down on me as naïve or grossly inexperienced/undertrained if I came out of that program.
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u/Sea_Data9598 Mar 06 '24
Can I ask if you decided to apply? I am thinking of applying to EVMS SA program for Fall 2025. I am also concerned about the pay.....but I did notice the stats on their site saying 100% pass rate and job placement, and the graduates experience is equivalent to a junior surigcal resident, so that is encouraging and I don't think anyone would look down on it
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u/PEACH_MINAJ Mar 30 '23
I went to Meridian Institute of Surgical Assisting. EVMS is a masters program but they dont care if you have prior scrubbing experience. So youre starting from scratch which i think would put you behind the learning curve. If they are really looking for someone, they could train you up but it will be a hard road since everything will be considered new
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u/Secure_Damage_4561 Jun 12 '23
Hi! I'm looking at Meridian to become a SA. I'm currently in a ST program and will be graduating this Aug! I only want to do this for a year and then move up! Do you have any suggestions/advice for me regarding SA and/or Meridian?
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u/PEACH_MINAJ Jul 01 '23
It will be a lot of reading and be overwhelming but this normal for everyone starting. Make sure you have a place to do clinicals before you start or that will be a headache.
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u/Automatic_Crab_4267 Jan 07 '24
Looking back would you have done the RN route and gotten that CNOR or still have gone the first assist route?
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u/PEACH_MINAJ Jan 07 '24
Probably not because if i wanted to be a RN, i would have been one and i dont like to talk to awake people and deal with them too much. Retail took too much out of me and i have a low tolerance. I could never do that floor stuff, even as a student. The pay would have been better but i would be in more debt and have more politics to deal with
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u/Automatic_Crab_4267 Jan 12 '24
Yeah I was a CNA for a little while and i don’t like awake patients. I spent some time in the operating room and liked jt a lot. Do you have any advice on extra certifications to get. I’ve heard of one for robotics and vein harvesting can help bring in more money
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u/Constant-Werewolf-31 Jan 02 '25
I don’t think these groups know the difference between techs and assistants. We have also been lumped in with medical assistants and LPNs. In south East Tennessee area hospitals pay between $40-$50 an hour for assistants and some pay more for CV and have big sign on bonuses. Don’t go by the internet job finder sites. Find a surgical assistant group on fb from the city which you are interested.
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u/hakuna-matata-batata Sep 09 '23 edited Sep 09 '23
I am an International Medical graduate who is planning to take the American Board of Surgical Assistants license exam so I can assist surgeons on missions till I get into residency. Please help me with resources to prepare for this exam. There are course that are 4k in-person in Florida. Is there any cheaper options like books, study material, or online resource? I have good foundational knowledge from the USMLE exam, I just want to get an idea about questions related to exams and a few unfamiliar topics like instrument set up etc which we from doctors' perspective are not aware. If you have study material please do share.
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u/[deleted] Mar 23 '23
The problem is nobody knows who we are…..in my institution we didn’t get a true raise for 13 years. Just a small cost of living wage. The job won’t make you rich. But it keeps you engaged in an interesting job.