Surgical Assistant salary in Tennessee
Surgical Assistants in Tennessee earn a median of $81,640 a year ($39.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 750 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,350 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $66,800. Tennessee ranks 8th of 44 states for surgical assistants pay. There are 0.23 surgical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $82,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surgical assistants in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,370 | $28.54 |
| 25th percentile | $73,000 | $35.10 |
| Median | $81,640 | $39.25 |
| 75th percentile | $96,720 | $46.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,350 | $49.21 |
| Average (mean) | $82,720 | $39.77 |
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 | $6,803.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,401.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,140 |
| Weekly | $1,570 |
| Hourly | $39.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,640 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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $87,080 | 340 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other | $63,400 | $30.48 |
| Athletic Trainer | $59,850 | — |
| Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars | $64,560 | $31.04 |
| Genetic Counselor | $94,380 | $45.37 |
| Registered Nurse | $81,500 | $39.18 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $28.31 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $117,590 | $56.54 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,920 | $20.15 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $29.84 |
| Pharmacist | $133,390 | $64.13 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $144.85 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,630 | $31.07 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,640 | $40.69 |
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 29-9093. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for surgical assistants in Tennessee is $81,640 a year, or $39.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surgical assistants make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of surgical assistants in Tennessee earn at least $102,350 a year. The top 25% earn $96,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for surgical assistants in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,370 a year, and a quarter of surgical assistants earn $73,000 or less.
How many surgical assistants work in Tennessee?
About 750 surgical assistants are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.