Surgical Assistant salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Surgical Assistants in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $65,260 a year ($31.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,690 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 20% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,640. There are 0.27 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $66,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,280 | $23.69 |
| 25th percentile | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Median | $65,260 | $31.38 |
| 75th percentile | $74,610 | $35.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Average (mean) | $66,190 | $31.82 |
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 | $5,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,719.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,510 |
| Weekly | $1,255 |
| Hourly | $31.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $65,260 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,530 | 270 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $87,080 | 340 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $80,740 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,570 | 110 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $60,410 | 680 |
| Richmond, VA | $51,030 | 340 |
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $76,730 | $36.89 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $54,050 | $25.99 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $37,760 | $18.16 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $118,470 | $56.96 |
| Pharmacist | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $36,680 | $17.64 |
| Dental Hygienist | $82,870 | $39.84 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $59,470 | $28.59 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $62,740 | $30.16 |
| Paramedic | $47,060 | $22.63 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,940 | $37.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
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 Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $65,260 a year, or $31.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $77,690 a year. The top 25% earn $74,610 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,280 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $60,070 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 30 surgical assistants are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.