Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay in La Vergne, TN: $28.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a surgical technologist working in La Vergne, TN runs $28.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Weighted against La Vergne's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,147 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Surgical technologists in La Vergne, TN, can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $28.96, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $32.76. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for those seeking part-time opportunities, as working three days a week could yield a substantial but lesser income compared to full-time positions. The hourly wage range runs from $21.79 for entry-level positions (P10) to $42.01 for highly experienced professionals (P90), indicating a clear path for growth within the field. Surgical technologists typically find employment in diverse settings, including hospital operating rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized surgical suites, where these hourly rates are estimated based on projected annual salaries from recent data.
About the La Vergne Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.79 | $174.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.07 | $200.60 |
| Median (P50) | $28.96 | $231.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.25 | $281.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.01 | $336.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Vergne
Based on $28.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.96/hr, a surgical technologist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Vergne, TN can expect to earn approximately $60,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,757. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Vergne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Vergne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.56 | $5,020 | $60,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.13 | $3,012 | $36,147 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.42 | $2,008 | $24,098 |
Compare Surg Tech, CST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist (La Vergne) | $28.96 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Radiologic Technologist (National Avg) | $36.78 |
Surgical Technologists in La Vergne, TN earn a median of $60,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.60% lower than the national median of $68,141 and 4.50% below the Tennessee state average of $63,076.
Surgical Technologist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.96/hr = $36,147/year (purchasing power: $39,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,245/year (purchasing power: $65,626).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in La Vergne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for surgical technologists in La Vergne grew 33.9% from $20.53/hr (2019) to $27.48/hr (2025). At a 5.40% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem surgical technologists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Vergne 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.
Working as an Hourly Surgical Technologist in La Vergne
Analyzing the potential for earning as a part-time surgical technologist in La Vergne reveals that those working 24 hours a week can still bring home a respectable annual income, although it will be significantly lower than what full-time roles offer. Per diem surgical technologists in this region can expect to bill between $35 and $55 an hour, with those in cardiovascular and neurosurgery specialties being able to command even higher rates, often reaching $50 to $75 per hour. Travel surgical tech contracts present another lucrative opportunity, averaging weekly payments from $1,800 to $2,800. Furthermore, hourly pay can differ greatly based on the type of employer—hospitals, specialty centers, or travel agencies. While surgical technologists may choose lower hourly rates for positions that include benefits like health insurance, many consider the trade-off of potentially higher hourly wages without benefits when looking for flexible or agency work. Negotiating effectively is crucial in the local job market; research on employer pay rates and a clear understanding of one’s skills are critical in achieving the best pay possible in this competitive field.
More salary data for La Vergne, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for surgical technologists in La Vergne in 2026?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for surgical technologists in La Vergne. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for La Vergne is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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