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Surgical Pathology Assistant Salary in the United States

How much does a Surgical Pathology Assistant make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Surgical Pathology Assistant in the United States is $70,430 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Surgical Pathology Assistant's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,824
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $63,752 to $75,871
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,671
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Surgical Pathology Assistant Salaries

A Surgical Pathology Assistant'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 Surgical Pathology Assistant Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Surgical Pathology Assistant'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): $67,766
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $67,972
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $70,430
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $72,670
  • Expert (over 8 years): $72,830
Levels Salary
Entry Level Surgical Pathology Assistant$67,766
Intermediate Level Surgical Pathology Assistant$67,972
Senior Level Surgical Pathology Assistant$70,430
Specialist Level Surgical Pathology Assistant$72,670
Expert Level Surgical Pathology Assistant$72,830
View as Graph

How Do Surgical Pathology Assistant 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 Surgical Pathology Assistants. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $77,981.
  • California: $77,685.
  • Massachusetts: $76,649.

Top Paying Cities for Surgical Pathology Assistants

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: $88,834
  • San Francisco: $87,861
  • Oakland: $86,010

What Skills Can Increase a Surgical Pathology Assistant's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 2.97% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Medical Laboratory (Mentioned in 5.01% Job Postings): Testing and analyzing medical and clinical specimens to help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.
  • HIPAA (Mentioned in 2.14% Job Postings): The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 is a federal law that required the creation of national standards to protect sensitive patient health information from being disclosed without the patient's consent or knowledge.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 2.97%
Medical Laboratory 5.01%
HIPAA 2.14%
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 Surgical Pathology Assistant's salary.

  • Interpersonal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Interpersonal Communication $74,656
6%
Verbal Communication $74,656
6%
Written Communication $73,952
5%
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Surgical Pathology Assistant Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Surgical Pathology Assistant roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Surgical Pathology Assistant positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Surgical Pathology Assistant as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Surgical Pathology Assistant

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$84,516$41.020%

How Education impacts a Surgical Pathology Assistant's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Surgical Pathology Assistants enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate 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 Surgical Pathology Assistant with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $57,903 and $61,712).

Surgical Pathology Assistant Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Surgical Pathology Assistant
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 1.3%
High School 27.7%
Associates 26.5%
Bachelors 38.4%
Masters 6.1%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Surgical Pathology Assistant Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Surgical Pathology Assistant'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
$63,752
Average $70,430/year
$75,871
$5,313
Average $5,869/month
$6,323
$1,226
Average $1,354/week
$1,459
$31
Average $34/hour
$36
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $75,871 $6,323 $1,459 $36
Average $70,430 $5,869 $1,354 $34
25th Percentile $63,752 $5,313 $1,226 $31

Most common benefits for Surgical Pathology Assistant

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

Common company salaries for Surgical Pathology Assistant

Here are companies hiring for Surgical Pathology Assistant and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Surgical Pathology Assistant

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Surgical Pathology Assistant?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Surgical Pathology Assistant roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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