Surgical Assistants Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $84,190 +39.6% vs national
Median hourly $40.48
10th percentile $62,890
90th percentile $105,170
Employed locally 70
National median $60,290

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Surgical Assistants
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $62,890
    25th
    $76,500
    50th (median)
    $84,190
    75th
    $94,100
    90th
    $105,170

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Surgical Assistants salary vs area income 123% Median Surgical Assistants salary is 23% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Surgical Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Florence, SC $133,380
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $116,140
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $115,610
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $110,020
    Nevada $110,020
    Arizona $107,500

    Nearby metros — Surgical Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $88,910
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $77,750
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $65,260
    Knoxville, TN $53,030

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses $76,870
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $57,540
    Nurse Practitioners $107,890
    Pharmacy Technicians $38,200
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $48,100
    Pharmacists $130,210

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Surgical Assistants make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Surgical Assistants in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $40.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $52.68 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Surgical Assistants salaries?

    The median Surgical Assistants salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 39.6% above the national median of $60,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Surgical Assistants in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Surgical Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $62,890 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $76,500.