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Surgical Technologist in Tennessee: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

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Tennessee employs 3,310 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $60,530 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Tennessee licensing picture, and where to train.

What Surgical technologists Earn in Tennessee (May 2025)

Tennessee median pay: $60,530 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,620
Experienced (75th percentile): $64,430
Top earners (90th percentile): $75,920
Employed in Tennessee: 3,310
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,830 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Tennessee markets:

Nashville: $63,120 (1,120 employed)
Memphis: $61,150 (630 employed)
Chattanooga: $60,900 (380 employed)
Knoxville: $54,900 (520 employed)
Clarksville: $52,510 (70 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in Tennessee

Prices in Tennessee run about 8% below the national average (cost-of-living index 91.9 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $60,530 median stretches to roughly $65,865 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in Tennessee (2024–2034)

Tennessee is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +2.9%, slower than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

Tennessee License and Certification Requirements

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard — regulated by the No Tennessee state license required for surgical technologists.

Tennessee does not require a state license for surgical technologists. The standard path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with OR clinical rotations.
Earn the CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) credential through NBSTSA — required or strongly preferred by Vanderbilt, HCA, and Ascension facilities in Tennessee.
Apply to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, HCA Healthcare hospital system, Ascension Saint Thomas, or the growing network of ambulatory surgery centers across Tennessee.

Official requirements: No Tennessee state license required for surgical technologists →

Training in Tennessee

Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin) and Tennessee State University offer accredited surgical technology programs. Nashville's large and growing surgical volume — driven by Vanderbilt's research hospital and HCA's extensive hospital network — creates steady demand. HCA Healthcare's headquarters in Nashville makes it a major career pathway.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Tennessee include:

Baptist Health Sciences University — Associate
Chattanooga State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Cleveland State Community College — Certificate / Associate
Columbia State Community College — Certificate / Associate

Where Surgical technologists Work in Tennessee

Real Tennessee surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:

Johnson City Eye Surgery Ctr — Johnson City
Tier 1 Surgery Center, LLC — Cookeville
Tennessee Pain Surgery Center — Antioch
Athens Regional Cancer Center PLLC — Athens
The Surgery Center of Athens, LLC — Athens
Brentwood Surgery Center — Brentwood

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: Focused people who like structured clinical environments and precise routines.

Think twice if: Blood, surgery, standing for long cases, or high-pressure teams are dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

First Steps

Look for accredited surgical technology programs and clinical placement details.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do surgical technologists make in Tennessee?

The median wage for surgical technologists in Tennessee is $60,530 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,620, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $75,920. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Tennessee?

None required — CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) via NBSTSA is the employer standard, overseen by the No Tennessee state license required for surgical technologists. Tennessee does not require a state license for surgical technologists. The standard path is completing a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited surgical technology program (typically a 2-year associate degree) with OR clinical rotations.

Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Tennessee?

Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.

Which Tennessee metros pay surgical technologists the most?

Among Tennessee metro areas, Nashville leads at $63,120, followed by Memphis ($61,150), Chattanooga ($60,900). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Surgical Technologist in Tennessee?

Real Tennessee options include Baptist Health Sciences University, Chattanooga State Community College, Cleveland State Community College. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Tennessee?

Tennessee projects surgical technologists employment to change +2.9% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Tennessee statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the No Tennessee state license required for surgical technologists (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Tennessee wages · Tennessee licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.