Surgical Technologist Salary in Memphis, TN
Surgical Technologists in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median $61,150 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $51,314 take-home, or $4,276 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median surgical technologist salary in Memphis, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,158
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,791
- Medicare (1.45%)$887
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$51,314
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro spans Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Surgical Technologist pay by experience in Memphis, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,390 | $23.75 | $41,865 | $3,489 |
| 25th percentile | $52,840 | $25.40 | $44,637 | $3,720 |
| Median (50th) | $61,150 | $29.40 | $51,314 | $4,276 |
| 75th percentile | $67,270 | $32.34 | $56,154 | $4,680 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,630 | $37.32 | $63,443 | $5,287 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $61,150 buys in Memphis, TN
Prices in Memphis, TN are 7.8% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 20% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median surgical technologist's $51,314 take-home pay has the buying power of $55,668 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Memphis, TN has 1.4× the national concentration of surgical technologist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for surgical technologists, adjusted for cost of living
Memphis, TN ranks #19 of 57 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $106,840 | $76,896 | $69,638 |
| 2 | Dallas, TX | $79,990 | $65,103 | $63,152 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $99,390 | $72,445 | $62,662 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $77,440 | $59,724 | $62,314 |
| 5 | Austin, TX | $73,810 | $60,755 | $61,954 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $74,200 | $61,030 | $60,899 |
| 7 | Boise City, ID | $76,650 | $59,799 | $60,777 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $74,830 | $58,887 | $60,748 |
| 19 | Memphis, TN | $61,150 | $51,314 | $55,668 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 57 metros →
Surgical Technologist salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $63,120
- Knoxville, TN — $54,900
Frequently asked questions
How much does a surgical technologist make in Memphis, TN?
The median surgical technologist salary in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $61,150 a year, or about $29.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $52,840 and $67,270.
What is a surgical technologist’s take-home pay in Memphis, TN?
On the median $61,150 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $51,314 a year ($4,276 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Memphis, TN a good place to work as a surgical technologist?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $64,650. Local prices are 7.8% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $55,668 would in a typical U.S. city. Memphis, TN ranks #19 of 57 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a surgical technologist afford rent in Memphis, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Memphis, TN is $1,137 a month ($1,263 for two bedrooms) — 27% of a median surgical technologist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $134,220
- Nurse Practitioner — $124,600
- Physical Therapist — $100,000
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $86,120
- Registered Nurse — $81,500
- Dental Hygienist — $78,580
- Paramedic — $66,830
- Respiratory Therapist — $66,460
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $66,320
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $64,000
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $59,140