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The differences between surgical assistants and surgical first assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a surgical first assistant has an average salary of $61,480, which is higher than the $52,170 average annual salary of a surgical assistant.
The top three skills for a surgical assistant include patients, surgical procedures and patient care. The most important skills for a surgical first assistant are patients, visualization, and patient care.
| Surgical Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $52,170 | $61,480 |
| Hourly rate | $25.08 | $29.56 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 28,138 | 28,503 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Surgical Assistant provides assistance during an operation by performing a wide range of crucial tasks. They cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field and adjust and maintain operating room parameters according to the surgeon's specifications.
A surgical first assistant plays a vital role in a successful surgical procedure. They are primarily in charge of assisting surgeons, such as by arranging and handing over tools, holding open incisions, and dressing surgical wounds. They also perform tasks such as helping patients prepare for surgeries, transporting patients to different rooms, monitoring the inventory of supplies, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas. Furthermore, it is essential to implement the safety protocols and measures before, during, and after surgeries for a safe and successful outcome.
Surgical assistants and surgical first assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Surgical Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Average salary | $52,170 | $61,480 |
| Salary range | Between $35,000 And $76,000 | Between $41,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | McAllen, TX |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Baptist Health Care | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a surgical assistant and a surgical first assistant in terms of educational background:
| Surgical Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 30% | Associate Degree, 31% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | - | Duke University |
Here are the differences between surgical assistants' and surgical first assistants' demographics:
| Surgical Assistant | Surgical First Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 20.7% Female, 79.3% | Male, 43.6% Female, 56.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 9.1% White, 56.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 9.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |