Surgical Assistant salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Surgical Assistants in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $87,080 a year ($41.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,350 for the top 10%. That is 30% higher than the national median of $66,800. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $81,640. There are 0.31 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| 25th percentile | $80,830 | $38.86 |
| Median | $87,080 | $41.86 |
| 75th percentile | $99,270 | $47.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| Average (mean) | $87,360 | $42.00 |
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 | $7,256.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,628.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,349.23 |
| Weekly | $1,674.62 |
| Hourly | $41.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $87,080 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $80,740 | 90 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $77,570 | 110 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $65,260 | 30 |
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $66,940 | $32.19 |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $74,660 | $35.90 |
| Athletic Trainer | $61,830 | — |
| Registered Nurse | $84,040 | $40.40 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $61,940 | $29.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $122,320 | $58.81 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $65,060 | $31.28 |
| Pharmacist | $137,590 | $66.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,640 | $142.14 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $51,300 | $24.66 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,030 | $45.21 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $76,450 | $36.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,380 | $49.70 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for surgical assistants in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $87,080 a year, or $41.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $102,350 a year. The top 25% earn $99,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,730 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $80,830 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 340 surgical assistants are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.