You can become a Surgical First Assistant by first getting certified as a Surgical Technologist. You can then pursue the Certified Surgical First Assistant (CSFA) credential to enhance your learning process as well as your professional profile. The minimum education requirement for this job is an associate degree, but some employers will prefer a bachelor’s degree prior to your certification. At your earliest opportunity, you should begin working in a medical environment, such as a hospital or clinic.

If you are interested in a job related to Surgical First Assistant, here are some popular related job searches with the most open positions on ZipRecruiter.

Top Types Of Surgical First Assistant Jobs

List of the top 10 highest paying Surgical First Assistant positions in 2026, with salary ranges, according to ZipRecruiter.

Rn Oral Maxillofacial Surgery
Salary range: $65,500 - $104,000
Rn Oral Maxillofacial Surgery is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Rn Oral Maxillofacial Surgery jobs pay between $65,500 (25th percentile) and $104,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Rn Oral Maxillofacial Surgery job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Dental Anesthesiologist
Salary range: $400,000 - $400,000
A dental anesthesiologist administers anesthesia and provides pain management services for dental patients. In this career, you perform your duties during a dental procedure or dental surgery. Your responsibilities include monitoring the condition of a patient during treatment or surgery. Before administering the anesthetic, you evaluate a patient's records and ensure that they are not at risk of experiencing adverse effects. You can administer anesthesia to put a patient to sleep during surgery, or you can inject an anesthetic that numbs a specific area so that the patient does not feel pain during the procedure.
Oral Surgery Nurse
Salary range: $74,500 - $101,500
Oral Surgery Nurse is a typical job search query Most salaries for Oral Surgery Nurse jobs pay between $74,500 (25th percentile) and $101,500 (75th percentile) annually. Take a look at the variety of open positions nationwide for Oral Surgery Nurse job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter.
Maxillofacial Dental Nurse
Salary range: $98,500 - $98,500
Maxillofacial Dental Nurse is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Maxillofacial Dental Nurse jobs pay between $98,500 (25th percentile) and $98,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Maxillofacial Dental Nurse job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Oral Surgery Assistant
Salary range: $40,000 - $52,000
An oral surgery assistant helps a dentist with surgical operations. As an oral surgery assistant, your duties are to prepare patients and the operating room for the dentist. Specifically, you sterilize instruments and lay them out in an organized fashion, have a patient’s X-rays and chart on hand for the dental surgeon or periodontist, and prepare the patient by applying topical anesthetic and explaining the procedure. During oral surgery, you monitor anesthesia, help with suction, and keep the patient’s mouth clear. You also take notes and document the procedure for the dentist.
Lumina Care
Salary range: $72,500 - $128,000
Lumina Care is a common job search query. Most salaries for Lumina Care jobs pay between $72,500 (25th percentile) and $128,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Lumina Care job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Paradigm Oral Surgery
Salary range: $40,000 - $52,000
Paradigm Oral Surgery is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Paradigm Oral Surgery jobs pay between $40,000 (25th percentile) and $52,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Paradigm Oral Surgery job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Rdaef
Salary range: $50,000 - $52,000
RDAEF stands for registered dental assistant in extended functions, known in some states as Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDAs). As an RDAEF, your duties are somewhat more expansive than a normal dental assistant and may include taking X-rays and impressions, pouring models, and fabricating temporary crowns and bridges. You place, contour, and adjust permanent fillings, cement crowns, and size and place points after root canals. As part of your general responsibilities, you prepare patients and rooms for dental procedures, maintain patient records, sterilize instruments, operate dental tools during appointments and treatment, schedule patient appointments, and oversee billing and insurance tasks.
Oa
Salary range: $34,500 - $48,500
Oa is a common job search query. Most salaries for Oa jobs pay between $34,500 (25th percentile) and $48,500 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Oa job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.
Surgical Dental Hygienist
Salary range: $76,000 - $100,000
Surgical Dental Hygienist is a more unusual job search query but still may give you interesting job results. Most salaries for Surgical Dental Hygienist jobs pay between $76,000 (25th percentile) and $100,000 (75th percentile) annually. Currently, there are not many open positions nationwide for Surgical Dental Hygienist job searches hiring now on ZipRecruiter. You can take a look at what is available and find similar job searches in this list.

All Jobs Surgical First Assistant Jobs 10 of the Most Popular Types of Surgical First Assistant Jobs in 2026