Surgical Technologist Salary in Johnson City, TN: $62,376 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Johnson City, TN earns a median $62,376/year (≈ $29.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $70,940 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, TN, the 2026 median annual surgical technologist salary is projected to be $62,376, reflecting the local demand for this essential healthcare profession. This figure falls below the national median of $68,141, highlighting a market where compensation, while respectable, can vary significantly. Surgical technologists in the area can expect a salary range between $49,401 and $77,343, indicating a diverse landscape driven by specialization and experience. Notably, those in high-demand specialties like cardiovascular or neurosurgery are likely to command a premium, elevating their earnings significantly compared to their peers in general surgery. Insights from the most recent data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS reported figures, indicate an expected growth rate of 5.40%, suggesting a robust future for job opportunities in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,401 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,616 | $25.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,376 | $29.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,452 | $30.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,343 | $37.19 |
Median Salary Position
8.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,942 (2026 est.). At $62,376, the local median is 8.46% below the national median of $68,141.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $62,376/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $63,069 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $68,141 | -8.46% less |
Surgical Technologists in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $62,376 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.46% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 1.10% below the Tennessee state average of $63,069.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A surgical technologist earning $62,376 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,940 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% 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
$40,130
2025 BLS Actual
$59,180
2026 Current Est.
$62,376
2019–2027 Growth
+63.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,424 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,376 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,744 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 47.5% from $40,130 (2019) to $59,180 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,744 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,614 (63.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $49,401 – $52,616 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,616 – $62,376 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,376 – $64,452 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,452 – $77,343 |
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 Johnson City
The job market for surgical technologists in Johnson City currently employs around 120 individuals, an encouraging sign of regional support for the profession. The local cost-of-living index, at 87.928, indicates a favorable economic environment for workers compared to the national average, allowing for better purchasing power. Employers in the area, such as hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers, tend to offer the most competitive salaries, especially for roles in areas like orthopedic and cardiovascular surgery. Factors contributing to wage disparities include the level of specialization, on-call responsibilities, and certifications such as robotic surgery proficiency. For aspiring surgical technologists looking to maximize their pay in Johnson City, pursuing certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties is critical. Engaging with travel surgical tech agencies can also yield lucrative compensation packages, thus enhancing overall earnings in this evolving healthcare market.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Johnson City, TN in 2026?
Is Johnson City, TN a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Can surgical technologists make $100K in Johnson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted surgical technologist salary in Johnson City?
How much does a surgical technologist make per hour in Johnson City?
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 $59,180 for surgical technologistsin the Johnson City 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