Surg Tech Salary

Germantown vs Nashville: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, TN
$61,387
$29.51/hr
Nashville, TN
$66,528
$31.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$61,387$66,528
Hourly Rate$29.51$31.99
Entry Level (P10)$43,014$51,825
25th Percentile$54,555$60,415
75th Percentile$76,063$75,003
Top Earner (P90)$91,282$86,512
Total Employed81,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($61,387) and Nashville ($66,528) surgical technologist salaries.GermantownNashvilleMedian Salary$61,387$66,528Entry Level (P10)$43,014$51,825Top Earner (P90)$91,282$86,512US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Germantown and Nashville is $5,141 (8.37%). Nashville's median is -2.37% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $48,268,Nashville spans $34,687. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$43,014
P25$54,555
Median$61,387
P75$76,063
P90 (Top)$91,282
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$51,825
P25$60,415
Median$66,528
P75$75,003
P90 (Top)$86,512

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($69,057 effective) pays 3.27% more than Germantown ($66,870 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $61,387
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $66,870
Nashville
Nominal: $66,528
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $69,057

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,282)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,528/year)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,057)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Germantown grew 30.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

Germantown, TN

+30.4%

$44,674 (2024) → $58,242 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+32.3%

$47,720 (2019) → $63,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Germantown or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,528/year, compared to Germantown at $61,387/year — a difference of $5,141 (8.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Nashville?

Germantown surgical technologists earn $29.51/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $31.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Nashville as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $66,870, Nashville = $69,057), job availability (8 vs 1,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Germantown vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $43,014 in Germantown and $51,825 in Nashville. The Nashville 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