Surgical Assistant salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Surgical Assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $80,740 a year ($38.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,960 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,640. There are 0.15 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $83,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| 25th percentile | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Median | $80,740 | $38.82 |
| 75th percentile | $95,400 | $45.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,960 | $48.54 |
| Average (mean) | $83,350 | $40.07 |
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 | $6,728.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,364.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,105.38 |
| Weekly | $1,552.69 |
| Hourly | $38.82 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,740 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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,570 | 110 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,260 | 30 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $50,810 | 80 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $58,270 | $28.02 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $52,040 | $25.02 |
| Athletic Trainer | $58,000 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $59,140 | $28.43 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,260 | $21.76 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $64,000 | $30.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,600 | $59.91 |
| Pharmacist | $134,220 | $64.53 |
| Physicians, All Other | $388,960 | $187.00 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $66,320 | $31.88 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Paramedic | $66,830 | $32.13 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,000 | $48.08 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $80,740 a year, or $38.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $100,960 a year. The top 25% earn $95,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,710 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $77,650 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 90 surgical assistants are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.