Surgical Assistant salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Surgical Assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $77,570 a year ($37.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,580 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,640. There are 0.42 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $81,770, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,500 | $29.57 |
| 25th percentile | $62,390 | $30.00 |
| Median | $77,570 | $37.29 |
| 75th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Average (mean) | $81,770 | $39.31 |
Half of surgical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,464.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,232.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,983.46 |
| Weekly | $1,491.73 |
| Hourly | $37.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,570 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Surgical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $87,080 | 340 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $80,740 | 90 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,260 | 30 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,720 | 370 |
| Gainesville, GA | $48,540 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $45,910 | 30 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $45,390 | 40 |
| Savannah, GA | $38,320 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $123,390 |
| Arizona | $111,170 |
| Colorado | $107,440 |
| Nevada | $100,820 |
| New Jersey | $90,710 |
| South Carolina | $85,580 |
| Kentucky | $84,600 |
| Tennessee | $81,640 |
| Oregon | $80,450 |
| Illinois | $80,210 |
See Surgical Assistant pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| Athletic Trainer | $57,350 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $79,770 | $38.35 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,580 | $28.16 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $116,480 | $56.00 |
| Pharmacist | $132,240 | $63.58 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,120 | $47.65 |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,460 | $40.12 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Surgical Technologist | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $74,350 | $35.74 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $49,020 | $23.57 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical assistant make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $77,570 a year, or $37.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $109,580 a year. The top 25% earn $96,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,500 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $62,390 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 110 surgical assistants are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.