Surg Tech Salary

Collierville vs Memphis: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Collierville, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Collierville, TN
$63,213
$30.39/hr
Memphis, TN
$64,452
$30.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$63,213$64,452
Hourly Rate$30.39$30.99
Entry Level (P10)$43,611$52,057
25th Percentile$52,215$55,693
75th Percentile$77,798$70,903
Top Earner (P90)$91,715$81,822
Total Employed8630
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($63,213) and Memphis ($64,452) surgical technologist salaries.ColliervilleMemphisMedian Salary$63,213$64,452Entry Level (P10)$43,611$52,057Top Earner (P90)$91,715$81,822US Median $68,141

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Collierville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Memphis is $1,239 (1.96%). Memphis's median is -5.41% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Collierville spans $48,104,Memphis spans $29,765. Collierville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$43,611
P25$52,215
Median$63,213
P75$77,798
P90 (Top)$91,715
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$52,057
P25$55,693
Median$64,452
P75$70,903
P90 (Top)$81,822

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($69,920 effective) pays 1.54% more than Collierville ($68,859 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $63,213
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $68,859
Memphis
Nominal: $64,452
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $69,920

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Collierville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,715)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,452/year)
  • Larger job market (630 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,920)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Collierville grew 30.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.2% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+30.4%

$46,003 (2024) → $59,974 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+34.2%

$45,560 (2019) → $61,150 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Collierville or Memphis?

Memphis has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $64,452/year, compared to Collierville at $63,213/year — a difference of $1,239 (1.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Memphis?

Collierville surgical technologists earn $30.39/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $30.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Collierville to Memphis as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $68,859, Memphis = $69,920), job availability (8 vs 630 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Collierville vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $43,611 in Collierville and $52,057 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

Written by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years of experience as a surgical technologist. She specializes in orthopedic surgical procedures. Jessica works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov