Surgical Assistants Salary in Tennessee
Surgical Assistants in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $81,640 —22.2% above the national median of $66,800. That ranks TN #8 of 44 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.60× as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for surgical assistants
All 44 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | $123,390 | $59.32 | 90 | 0.89 |
| 2 | Arizona | $111,170 | $53.45 | — | — |
| 3 | Colorado | $107,440 | $51.65 | — | — |
| 4 | Nevada | $100,820 | $48.47 | 230 | 1.03 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $90,710 | $43.61 | — | — |
| 6 | South Carolina | $85,580 | $41.15 | 480 | 1.45 |
| 7 | Kentucky | $84,600 | $40.67 | 480 | 1.69 |
| 8 | Tennessee | $81,640 | $39.25 | 750 | 1.60 |
| 9 | Oregon | $80,450 | $38.68 | 220 | 0.77 |
| 10 | Illinois | $80,210 | $38.56 | 2,300 | 2.63 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $81,500 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $58,870 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $41,920 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $301,290 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $62,070 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $117,590 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do surgical assistants make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for surgical assistants in Tennessee is $81,640, or $39.25 per hour. That is 22.2% above the national median of $66,800.
What is the entry-level surgical assistants salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $59,370 per year ($28.54/hour). The 25th percentile is $73,000.
How many people work as surgical assistants in Tennessee?
About 750 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 0.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for surgical assistants?
Tennessee ranks #8 of 44 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.60x as concentrated as the national average, making Tennessee a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays surgical assistants the most?
District of Columbia has the highest median wage at $123,390 per year, followed by Arizona ($111,170) and Colorado ($107,440).