Surgical Technologist Salary in Jackson, TN: $62,281 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Jackson, TN earns a median $62,281/year (≈ $29.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.5), that paycheck buys what $72,825 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jackson, Tennessee, surgical technologists can expect a median annual salary of $62,281, reflecting a competitive wage landscape compared to the national figure of $68,141. The salary range for this role spans from $50,181 at the 10th percentile up to $83,867 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse earning potential within the field. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights a local job market that favors those specializing in various surgical environments. With the presence of hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, Jackson's surgical technologists have options that can influence their salary based on workplace setting and demand for services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,181 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,942 | $25.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,281 | $29.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,602 | $32.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,867 | $40.33 |
Median Salary Position
8.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, TN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,686 (2026 est.). At $62,281, the local median is 8.6% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Jackson median: $62,281/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $63,101 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -8.60% less |
Surgical Technologists in Jackson, TN earn a median of $62,281 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.60% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.30% below the Tennessee state average of $63,101.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 14.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, TN has a cost-of-living index of 85.522 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $62,281 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,825 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,840
2025 BLS Actual
$59,090
2026 Current Est.
$62,281
2019–2027 Growth
+69.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,281 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 52.1% from $38,840 (2019) to $59,090 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,804 (69.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $50,181 – $52,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,942 – $62,281 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,281 – $66,602 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,602 – $83,867 |
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 Jackson
The job market in Jackson employs approximately 70 surgical technologists, illustrating a stable demand for this critical role in healthcare. The cost of living index for the area stands at 85.522, suggesting that take-home pay has considerable purchasing power relative to national averages. Among the local employers, those in major hospital operating rooms and specialized surgical centers, particularly those focusing on orthopedic and cardiovascular procedures, generally offer higher pay scales. Factors that influence the pay disparities include the complexity and specialization of the surgery, certification in robotic surgery, call coverage responsibilities, and roles as surgical first assistants. For surgical technologists looking to maximize earnings, pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Jackson, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $59,090 for surgical technologistsin the Jackson 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