Surgical Technologist salary in Knoxville, TN
Surgical Technologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $54,900 a year ($26.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,430 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $64,650. Pay here is 9% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $60,530. There are 1.2 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 25th percentile | $51,740 | $24.88 |
| Median | $54,900 | $26.39 |
| 75th percentile | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,430 | $30.49 |
| Average (mean) | $56,590 | $27.21 |
Half of surgical technologists 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 | $4,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,287.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,111.54 |
| Weekly | $1,055.77 |
| Hourly | $26.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $63,120 | 1,120 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $61,150 | 630 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $60,900 | 380 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $60,500 | 110 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,180 | 120 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,090 | 70 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $52,510 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for surgical technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $82,640 |
| Oregon | $81,390 |
| California | $81,310 |
| Massachusetts | $80,870 |
| Alaska | $80,380 |
| Minnesota | $80,210 |
| Connecticut | $79,890 |
| New York | $79,550 |
| District of Columbia | $77,520 |
| Washington | $77,270 |
See Surgical Technologist pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,270 | $18.40 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $47,660 | $22.91 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Paramedic | $51,130 | $24.58 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $43,190 | $20.76 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,050 | $23.58 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $72,100 | $34.66 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2055. 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 technologist make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for surgical technologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $54,900 a year, or $26.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $63,430 a year. The top 25% earn $60,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,620 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $51,740 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Knoxville, TN?
About 520 surgical technologists are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.