The pneumatic actuator for dispensing surgical staples is a handheld actuator for use with a typical staple cartridge. A source of pressurized fluid is used to automatically drive forward movement of a plunger rod. As in a conventional, manually-driven surgical stapler, the forward movement of the plunger rod is used to actuate the surgical stapler to bend and eject a staple. The pneumatic actuator may be used with any suitable type of surgical staple cartridge, through coupling of the plunger rod thereto. The pneumatic actuator for dispensing surgical staples includes a housing having an upper portion, for receiving the pressurized fluid to drive the plunger rod, and a lower portion, which is configured to act as a gripping handle for the user. A finger-actuated trigger is further provided, allowing for single finger release of the pressurized fluid to reset the pneumatic actuator for a surgical stapler.