Surg Tech Salary

Nashville vs Tullahoma: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$66,528
$31.99/hr
Tullahoma, TN
$58,275
$28.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNTullahoma, TN
Median Salary$66,528$58,275
Hourly Rate$31.99$28.02
Entry Level (P10)$51,825$45,065
25th Percentile$60,415$49,816
75th Percentile$75,003$69,693
Top Earner (P90)$86,512$81,730
Total Employed1,1204
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($66,528) and Tullahoma ($58,275) surgical technologist salaries.NashvilleTullahomaMedian Salary$66,528$58,275Entry Level (P10)$51,825$45,065Top Earner (P90)$86,512$81,730US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Nashville and Tullahoma is $8,253 (14.16%). 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 Nashville spans $34,687,Tullahoma spans $36,665. Tullahoma has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$51,825
P25$60,415
Median$66,528
P75$75,003
P90 (Top)$86,512
Tullahoma
P10 (Entry)$45,065
P25$49,816
Median$58,275
P75$69,693
P90 (Top)$81,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($69,057 effective) pays 8.78% more than Tullahoma ($63,480 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $66,528
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $69,057
Tullahoma
Nominal: $58,275
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $63,480

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,528/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,512)
  • Larger job market (1,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,057)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Tullahoma if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Nashville grew 32.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.4% growth in Tullahoma over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+32.3%

$47,720 (2019) → $63,120 (2025)

Tullahoma, TN

+30.4%

$42,409 (2024) → $55,289 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Nashville or Tullahoma?

Nashville has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $66,528/year, compared to Tullahoma at $58,275/year — a difference of $8,253 (14.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Tullahoma?

Nashville surgical technologists earn $31.99/hr while Tullahoma hygienists earn $28.02/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Tullahoma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $69,057, Tullahoma = $63,480), job availability (1,120 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $51,825 in Nashville and $45,065 in Tullahoma. 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