CDCareer Decision

Surgical Assistants Salary in TN

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Surgical Assistants in TN have a median annual salary of $81,640, with 750 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $59,370 at the 10th percentile to $102,350 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$81,640

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$39.25

Employment

750

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$59,370
10th
$73,000
25th
$81,640
Median
$96,720
75th
$102,350
90th

Local compared with national

TN

$81,640

Median annual · 2025

United States

$66,800

Median annual · 2025

The TN median is 22.2% above the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $14,840).

Top skills

  1. 1.Active ListeningImportance 4.0
  2. 2.SpeakingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.6
  4. 4.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.6
  5. 5.MonitoringImportance 3.6
  6. 6.CoordinationImportance 3.4
  7. 7.Service OrientationImportance 3.4
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.3
  9. 9.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.3
  10. 10.WritingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.1
  12. 12.Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Electronic medical record EMR software
  • MEDITECH software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Nursing documentation software
  • Patient scheduling software
  • Patient tracking software
  • Supply documentation software
  • Surgery workflow communication software

Common tasks

  • Monitor and maintain aseptic technique throughout procedures.
  • Maintain an unobstructed operative field, using surgical retractors, sponges, or suctioning and irrigating equipment.
  • Pass instruments or supplies to surgeon during procedure.
  • Assist with patient resuscitation during cardiac arrest or other life-threatening events.
  • Verify the identity of patient or operative site.
  • Obtain or inspect sterile or non-sterile surgical equipment, instruments, or supplies.
  • Assist members of surgical team with gowning or gloving.
  • Cover patients with surgical drapes to create and maintain a sterile operative field.
  • Coordinate or participate in the positioning of patients, using body stabilizing equipment or protective padding to provide appropriate exposure for the procedure or to protect against nerve damage or circulation impairment.
  • Determine availability of necessary equipment or supplies for operative procedures.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Surgical Assistants salary in other locations

Other occupations in TN