Surgical Technologist Salary in Clarksville, TN: $55,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Clarksville, TN earns a median $55,346/year (≈ $26.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $60,855 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.2% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Clarksville, TN, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $55,346 in 2026, reflecting a significant variation in earnings from $42,350 at the lower end to $65,274 for those in top-paying positions. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, shows that specialists in cardiovascular and neurosurgery often command the highest salaries due to the increased complexity and skill required for these subspecialties. Moreover, with surgical technologist pay in Clarksville trailing the national median of $68,141 by 18.78%, individuals entering this profession should be aware of the earning potential driven by skills and specialty areas within the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,983 | $24.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,346 | $26.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,776 | $30.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,274 | $31.38 |
Median Salary Position
18.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,924 (2026 est.). At $55,346, the local median is 18.78% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be above the median
How Clarksville Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $55,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $63,036 | -12.20% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -18.78% less |
Surgical Technologists in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $55,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.78% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 12.20% below the Tennessee state average of $63,036.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $55,346 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,855 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$41,370
2025 BLS Actual
$52,510
2026 Current Est.
$55,346
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,375 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,393 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,334 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 26.9% from $41,370 (2019) to $52,510 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,334 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,964 (41.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,350 – $51,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,983 – $55,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,346 – $62,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,776 – $65,274 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Clarksville
Currently, there are about 70 surgical technologists employed in Clarksville, which indicates a stable presence of medical facilities contributing to the local job market. The cost of living index stands at 90.947, suggesting that earnings stretch further compared to more expensive regions, thus enhancing overall purchasing power. In terms of compensation, hospitals and specialty surgical centers including those focused on orthopedic or cardiothoracic procedures typically offer higher salaries, particularly for surgical technologists with robotic surgery certification or those stepping into surgical first assistant roles. The spread between pay levels is influenced by various factors such as call coverage responsibilities, the demand for certain specialties, and the trauma center designation, making it crucial for aspiring surgical technologists in Clarksville to pursue relevant certifications and gain experience in high-demand areas to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Clarksville, TN in 2026?
Is Clarksville, TN a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Clarksville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Clarksville?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Clarksville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,510 for surgical technologistsin the Clarksville metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov