Surgical Technologist salary in Tennessee
Surgical Technologists in Tennessee earn a median of $60,530 a year ($29.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,920 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $64,650. Tennessee ranks 42nd of 51 states for surgical technologists pay. There are 1.0 surgical technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,110, close to the median.
Pay range for surgical technologists in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,620 | $22.89 |
| 25th percentile | $51,310 | $24.67 |
| Median | $60,530 | $29.10 |
| 75th percentile | $64,430 | $30.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,920 | $36.50 |
| Average (mean) | $60,110 | $28.90 |
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 | $5,044.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,522.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,328.08 |
| Weekly | $1,164.04 |
| Hourly | $29.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surgical Technologist salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Knoxville, TN | $54,900 | 520 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $48,780 | $23.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $39,800 | $19.13 |
| Paramedic | $57,690 | $27.74 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $80,640 | $38.77 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $42,810 | $20.58 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $78,610 | $37.79 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $49,180 | $23.65 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for surgical technologists in Tennessee is $60,530 a year, or $29.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical technologists make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of surgical technologists in Tennessee earn at least $75,920 a year. The top 25% earn $64,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical technologists in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,620 a year, and a quarter of surgical technologists earn $51,310 or less.
How many surgical technologists work in Tennessee?
About 3,310 surgical technologists are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.