Surgical Assistants in California
Considering working as a Surgical Assistants in California? Below are the key facts. Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons. May, in accordance with state laws, help surgeons to make incisions and close surgical sites, manipulate or remove tissues, implant surgical devices or drains, suction the surgical site, place catheters, clamp or cauterize vessels or tissue, and apply dressings to surgical site. Excludes “Registered Nurses” (29-1141) and “Surgical Technologists” (29-2055).
What do Surgical Assistants Make in California?
For a surgical assistants working in California, the median annual wage is $60,290 per year (or about $28.99/hour).Pay can range from $52,220 at the 10th percentile to $69,440 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| 25th percentile | $54,080 | $26.00 |
| Median (50th) | $60,290 | $28.99 |
| 75th percentile | $69,440 | $33.38 |
| 90th percentile | $69,440 | $33.38 |
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, surgical assistants earn a median of $141,004 per year ($67.79/hour), lower than the California median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 984,146 surgical assistants nationwide.
Top California Metros for Surgical Assistants
The metro areas below employ the most surgical assistants in California.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | 60 | $63,400 |
Top States for Surgical Assistants Employment
The table below shows the states where the most surgical assistants work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 2,770 |
| Florida | 2,080 |
| Illinois | 1,220 |
| Virginia | 1,210 |
| Georgia | 1,010 |
| Tennessee | 1,010 |
| Maryland | 950 |
| North Carolina | 890 |
| Ohio | 840 |
| Michigan | 760 |
| Wisconsin | 630 |
| Oregon | 600 |
| Indiana | 530 |
| South Carolina | 520 |
| New York | 500 |
| Pennsylvania | 500 |
| Missouri | 380 |
| Kentucky | 360 |
| Utah | 330 |
| Oklahoma | 280 |
Highest-Paying States for Surgical Assistants
The highest-paying states for surgical assistants.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $110,020 |
| Arizona | $107,500 |
| District of Columbia | $105,080 |
| Minnesota | $100,000 |
| South Carolina | $98,340 |
| Kentucky | $81,710 |
| Tennessee | $78,330 |
| Texas | $76,510 |
| New Hampshire | $74,880 |
| New Jersey | $73,600 |
Skills
Key surgical assistants skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for surgical assistants, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Common tasks include:
- Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
- Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
- Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
- Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
- Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
- Prepare and apply sterile wound dressings.
- Apply sutures, staples, clips, or other materials to close skin, facia, or subcutaneous wound layers.
- Discuss with surgeon the nature of the surgical procedure, including operative consent, methods of operative exposure, diagnostic or laboratory data, or patient-advanced directives or other needs.
- Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.
- Clamp, ligate, or cauterize blood vessels to control bleeding during surgical entry, using hemostatic clamps, suture ligatures, or electrocautery equipment.
- Assess skin integrity or other body conditions upon completion of the procedure to determine if damage has occurred from body positioning.
- Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
Work Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Getting Information
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: MEDITECH software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Allied Health Professions
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Other careers like surgical assistants include:
- Physician Assistants
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Respiratory Therapists
- Acute Care Nurses
- Critical Care Nurses
- Nurse Anesthetists
Also Known As
Certified First Assistant (CFA), Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Certified Registered Nurse First Assistant (CRNFA), Certified Surgical Assistant (CSA), Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA), Certified Surgical Technician, Clinical Assistant, First Assistant, Gastrointestinal Technician (GI Technician), Med Surg PCA (Medical Surgical Patient Care Assistant), Medical Surgical Nursing Assistant, OR Aide (Operating Room Aide), OR Surgical Tech (Operating Room Surgical Technician), Operating Room Assistant, Operating Room Technician.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-9093.00
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