What to Pay a Surgical Technologist in Nashville, TN (2026)
How to set your Surg Tech pay range in Nashville
Three pay positions, modeled against current Nashville market data. Pick the one that matches your comp philosophy and the role's strategic value.
Surg Tech salary percentile distribution in Nashville, TN
Where the Nashville market actually sits for Surg Tech base pay.
Most Nashville employers building a range for this role anchor the midpoint to the market median ($56,000) and set range width at 30–35% — a min of $49,000 and a max of $64,000. This keeps the band wide enough for experience-based progression without concentrating range penetration at the cap.
Tennessee pay transparency compliance for Surg Tech job postings
What you must post when hiring a Surg Tech in Tennessee.
For a Surg Tech role in Nashville, a compliant good-faith range looks like $49,000 to $64,000. No statutory requirement applies, but if you disclose voluntarily, post a good-faith range of $49,000–$64,000 rather than a single number — it screens out misaligned candidates and reduces offer-stage fallout.
Top Surg Tech employers in Nashville — who you're competing against
Top healthcare employers hiring Surg Techs in the Nashville metro and what they're posting.
| Employer | Type | Disclosed Range | Sign-on Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Academic medical center | $53K–$66K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| HCA Healthcare (TriStar Health) | Health system | $53K–$66K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Ascension Saint Thomas | Health system | $53K–$66K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital | Pediatric specialty | $53K–$66K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
| Williamson Medical Center | Community hospital | $50K–$64K | Very common ($8K–$15K) |
Surg Tech talent supply and hiring difficulty in Nashville
How hard is it to fill a Surg Tech role in Nashville.
Nashville surgical technologist market centered on hospital OR, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgery hospitals. Cardiothoracic and orthopedic sub-specialties command premiums.
Skill premiums Surg Tech candidates command in Nashville, TN
| Skill / Credential | Pay Premium | Demand Signal |
|---|---|---|
| CST (Certified Surgical Technologist) | Standard baseline | Required |
| Cardiothoracic surgical tech | +8–12% | Very high |
| Orthopedic / joint replacement | +6–10% | High |
| Robotic surgery (da Vinci) certified | +7–11% | High and growing |
Surg Tech total compensation in Nashville — what candidates expect beyond base
Total rewards mix for Surg Techs in Nashville. "Prevalence" reflects share of Nashville disclosed-range postings including each element.
| Component | Typical Value | Prevalence in Nashville Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | $56,000 (median) | 100% |
| Call pay (standby + callback) | $4–$8/hr standby + 1.5× hourly | ~86% |
| Sign-on bonus | $3K–$8K | ~64% |
| CST certification pay | +5–8% on base | ~54% |
| Overtime opportunity | $6K–$11K annualized | ~88% |
| Estimated total comp benchmark | ~$68K–$81K | — |
Shift differentials and sign-on bonuses are typically table stakes rather than differentiators. Tuition reimbursement for LPN-to-RN bridge programs is increasingly the lever that wins competitive offers, particularly for early-career candidates.
Surg Tech pay by setting in Nashville — SNF, hospital, clinic, home health
Where the Surg Tech range splits by employer type in the Nashville metro.
| Setting | Median | Competitive Range | Hiring Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| General hospital OR | $54,000 | $48K–$62K | High |
| Cardiothoracic surgery | $60,000 | $54K–$68K | Very high |
| Orthopedic / joint replacement | $58,000 | $52K–$66K | High |
| Ambulatory surgery center | $53,000 | $47K–$59K | Moderate |
| Specialty surgery hospital | $57,000 | $50K–$64K | High |
FAQ: hiring a Surgical Technologist in Nashville, TN
Related Surg Tech pay benchmarks — Tennessee metros and nearby nursing roles
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Data refreshed May 15, 2026. Next scheduled update: August 15, 2026.
© 2026 BetterComp. Market data informational only — not legal advice.