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Surgical Technologists in Tennessee
Thinking about a career as a Surgical Technologists in Tennessee? Here’s what you need to know. Assist in operations, under the supervision of surgeons, registered nurses, or other surgical personnel. May help set up operating room, prepare and transport patients for surgery, adjust lights and equipment, pass instruments and other supplies to surgeons and surgeons’ assistants, hold retractors, cut sutures, and help count sponges, needles, supplies, and instruments. Excludes “Surgical Assistants” (29-9093).
What do Surgical Technologists Make in Tennessee?
The surgical technologists working in Tennessee, the typical annual salary is $56,370 per year (or roughly $27.10/hour).Earnings range from $47,060 at the 10th percentile to $73,110 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47,060 | $22.62 |
| 25th percentile | $50,090 | $24.08 |
| Median (50th) | $56,370 | $27.10 |
| 75th percentile | $62,850 | $30.22 |
| 90th percentile | $73,110 | $35.15 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Tennessee nationwide is 1.02.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, surgical technologists earn a median of $73,045 per year ($35.12/hour), lower than the Tennessee median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 1,876,778 surgical technologists across the United States. In Tennessee alone, approximately 2,470 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 1,900 surgical technologists.
Top Tennessee Metros for Surgical Technologists
The metro areas below employ the most surgical technologists in Tennessee.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, TN | 900 | $60,410 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | 500 | $60,770 |
| Knoxville, TN | 380 | $51,180 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | 280 | $56,160 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | 90 | $54,160 |
| Johnson City, TN | 70 | $53,240 |
| Jackson, TN | 40 | $55,300 |
Top States for Surgical Technologists Employment
View the states that employ the most surgical technologists work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 10,570 |
| Texas | 9,870 |
| Florida | 8,620 |
| New York | 5,910 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,710 |
| Georgia | 4,100 |
| Michigan | 3,910 |
| Ohio | 3,800 |
| Illinois | 3,730 |
| North Carolina | 3,720 |
| Wisconsin | 2,770 |
| New Jersey | 2,720 |
| Indiana | 2,610 |
| Alabama | 2,610 |
| South Carolina | 2,480 |
| Tennessee | 2,470 |
| Washington | 2,380 |
| Colorado | 2,310 |
| Virginia | 2,250 |
| Massachusetts | 2,240 |
Highest-Paying States for Surgical Technologists
These states pay the most for surgical technologists.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $81,120 |
| Connecticut | $80,590 |
| Oregon | $79,410 |
| Alaska | $79,040 |
| Massachusetts | $78,300 |
| Minnesota | $77,950 |
| Nevada | $76,740 |
| Hawaii | $76,200 |
| New York | $75,250 |
| Washington | $73,460 |
Skills
Key surgical technologists skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for surgical technologists, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Surgical Technologists typically:
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
- Prepare, care for, and dispose of tissue specimens taken for laboratory analysis.
- Wash and sterilize equipment, using germicides and sterilizers.
- Monitor and continually assess operating room conditions, including patient and surgical team needs.
- Operate, assemble, adjust, or monitor sterilizers, lights, suction machines, or diagnostic equipment to ensure proper operation.
- Prepare dressings or bandages and apply or assist with their application following surgery.
- Clean and restock operating room, gathering and placing equipment and supplies and arranging instruments according to instructions, such as a preference card.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: MEDITECH software
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Other careers like surgical technologists include:
- Anesthesiologist Assistants
- Radiation Therapists
- Respiratory Therapists
- Nurse Anesthetists
- Anesthesiologists
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric
Also Known As
Cardiovascular Operating Room Technologist (CVOR Technologist), Certified Surgical Technician, Certified Surgical Technologist (CST), Operating Room Surgical Technician (OR St), Operating Room Surgical Technologist, Operating Room Technician (OR Tech), Operating Room Technologist (OR Tech), Scrub Technician, Surgery Technician (Surgery Tech), Surgical Orderly, Surgical Scrub Technician, Surgical Scrub Technologist (Surgical Scrub Tech), Surgical Technician, Surgical Technologist (Surgical Tech), Travel OR Tech (Travel Operating Room Technician).
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 29-2055.00
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