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Physician Associate - Surgical Salary in the United States

How much does a Physician Associate - Surgical make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Physician Associate - Surgical in the United States is $120,010 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $58.

However, a Physician Associate - Surgical's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $135,064
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $111,020 to $127,890
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $102,835
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Physician Associate - Surgical Salaries

A Physician Associate - Surgical's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Physician Associate - Surgical Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Physician Associate - Surgical's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $117,058
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $117,729
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $120,598
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $122,950
  • Expert (over 8 years): $123,538
Levels Salary
Entry Level Physician Associate - Surgical$117,058
Intermediate Level Physician Associate - Surgical$117,729
Senior Level Physician Associate - Surgical$120,598
Specialist Level Physician Associate - Surgical$122,950
Expert Level Physician Associate - Surgical$123,538
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How Do Physician Associate - Surgical Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Physician Associate - Surgicals. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $132,870.
  • California: $132,370.
  • Massachusetts: $130,600.

Top Paying Cities for Physician Associate - Surgicals

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $151,360
  • San Francisco: $149,710
  • Oakland: $146,550

What Skills Can Increase a Physician Associate - Surgical's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Collaboration (Mentioned in 4.12% Job Postings): Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
  • Acute Care (Mentioned in 3.45% Job Postings): Acute care is a branch of secondary health care where a patient receives active but short-term treatment for a severe injury or episode of illness, an urgent medical condition, or during recovery from surgery. In medical terms, care for acute health conditions is the opposite from chronic care, or longer term care. Acute care services are generally delivered by teams of health care professionals from a range of medical and surgical specialties. Acute care may require a stay in a hospital emergency department, ambulatory surgery center, urgent care centre or other short-term stay facility, along with the assistance of diagnostic services, surgery, or follow-up outpatient care in the community. Hospital-based acute inpatient care typically has the goal of discharging patients as soon as they are deemed healthy and stable. Acute care settings include emergency department, intensive care, coronary care, cardiology, neonatal intensive care, and many general areas where the patient could become acutely unwell and require stabilization and transfer to another higher dependency unit for further treatment.
  • Medical Services (Mentioned in 2.8% Job Postings): A service that provides medical treatment to people within an area or country: In poorer countries without a reliable health service, 90% of care for people with Aids-related illnesses is carried out in the home. health services.
Skills Demand Percentage
Collaboration 4.12%
Acute Care 3.45%
Medical Services 2.8%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Physician Associate - Surgical's salary.

  • Wound Care: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Team Building: Can increase your salary by up to 11%.
  • Diagnostic Tests: Can increase your salary by up to 9%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Wound Care $133,211
11%
Team Building $133,211
11%
Diagnostic Tests $130,811
9%
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Physician Associate - Surgical Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Physician Associate - Surgical salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $127,377. While startup companies pay approximate $108,473.

Physician Associate - Surgical Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $108,473
Growth Stage 51~500 $114,534
Established 501~5000 $123,184
Enterprise 5000+ $127,377

Physician Associate - Surgical Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Physician Associate - Surgical roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 60% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 30% above the average. Conversely, Physician Associate - Surgical positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Physician Associate - Surgical as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Physician Associate - Surgical

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$156,013$75.030%

How Education impacts a Physician Associate - Surgical's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Physician Associate - Surgicals enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Physician Associate - Surgical with a Bachelor's Degree is between $124,909 and $132,939).

Physician Associate - Surgical Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Physician Associate - Surgical
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 7.1%
High School 7.1%
Associates 3.6%
Bachelors 19.1%
Masters 66.4%
Doctorate 3.8%
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Physician Associate - Surgical Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Physician Associate - Surgical's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$111,020
Average $120,010/year
$127,890
$9,252
Average $10,001/month
$10,658
$2,135
Average $2,308/week
$2,459
$53
Average $58/hour
$61
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $127,890 $10,658 $2,459 $61
Average $120,010 $10,001 $2,308 $58
25th Percentile $111,020 $9,252 $2,135 $53

Most common benefits for Physician Associate - Surgical

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Physician Associate - Surgical

Here are companies hiring for Physician Associate - Surgical and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Physician Associate - Surgical

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Physician Associate - Surgical?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Physician Associate - Surgical roles, with salaries approximately 30% above the market median.

2. How much do surgical assistants make in the US?

Surgical Assistants in the US earn between $117,230 and $145,770 annually, with a median salary of approximately $132,440. This data reflects the range of salaries based on industry standards and provides a clearer picture of the earning potential in this profession.

3. How much does it cost to become a surgical assistant?

Becoming a surgical assistant involves educational costs ranging from $4,000 to $25,000, depending on the program. Once certified, surgical assistants can expect to earn a salary ranging from $117,230 to $145,770, with a median salary of $132,440. Certification exams typically cost around $190 to $199.

4. How long is surgical first assistant school?

Surgical assisting programs can be associate or certificate programs that typically last 12-24 months. During this time, students study advanced surgical theory, including surgical pharmacology, advanced pathology, and anesthesia methods. Graduates can expect a salary ranging from $117,230 to $145,770, with a median salary of $132,440.

5. What's higher than a surgical assistant?

After obtaining certification, surgical assistants can advance to roles such as surgical first assistants or surgical managers, which typically offer higher salaries. The salary range for surgical assistants is between $117,230 and $145,770, with a median salary of $132,440. Advancing in this field can lead to increased earnings and responsibilities.

6. What is a surgical assistant called?

Surgical assistants, also known as surgical first assistants, support surgeons by performing tasks like making incisions, placing clamps, and closing surgical sites. Their salary ranges from $117,230 to $145,770, with a median salary of $132,440. Surgical technologists, or operating room technicians, prepare operating rooms and assist during surgeries.

7. Is surgical assistant school hard?

While surgical assistant school isn't as demanding as becoming a registered nurse, it still requires a strong foundation in biology, anatomy, and physiology. Most programs seek candidates with a high school diploma or equivalent. Graduates can expect salaries ranging from $117,230 to $145,770, with a median salary of $132,440, making it a rewarding career choice.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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