Tennessee Median
$81,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$39.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $66,800
State Rank
#8 of 44
750 employed here
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in Tennessee?
Surgical Assistants in Tennessee take home a median of $81,640 annually — roughly $39.25 an hour — which runs 22% above the national median of $66,800.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $59,370 while the top 10% make $102,350 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,000 and $96,720 a year.
Surgical Assistant salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,370 | $28.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,000 | $35.10 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $81,640 | $39.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $96,720 | $46.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,350 | $49.21 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 8th out of 44 states and territories for Surgical Assistant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Surgical Assistant salary in other states
District of Columbia $123,390Arizona $111,170Colorado $107,440Nevada $100,820New Jersey $90,710South Carolina $85,580Kentucky $84,600Oregon $80,450Illinois $80,210Virginia $78,910Wisconsin $78,030New Hampshire $77,670Ohio $77,450Minnesota $75,950Connecticut $67,580Montana $67,370Iowa $66,030Washington $65,440Texas $64,930Florida $62,550California $62,540New Mexico $62,010Rhode Island $61,900Alaska $61,210Pennsylvania $60,550New York $60,070North Carolina $59,920Maryland $58,130Kansas $57,810Indiana $56,620Idaho $56,460Massachusetts $56,430Michigan $56,430Hawaii $54,190Nebraska $53,190West Virginia $50,870Mississippi $50,810Arkansas $49,600Georgia $49,520Missouri $49,400Utah $44,990Alabama $41,710Oklahoma $40,160
Working as a Surgical Assistant in Tennessee
Nationally, about 22,000 people work as Surgical Assistants in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($81,640) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Surgical Assistant make in Tennessee?
The median Surgical Assistant salary in Tennessee is $81,640 per year, or about $39.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,370 at the entry level to $102,350 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Surgical Assistants about 22% more than the national median of $66,800. Tennessee ranks 8th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Surgical Assistants?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $81,640 a year. About 750 Surgical Assistants are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Surgical Assistant salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.