Healthcare · Nashville, TN

Surgeon Salary in Nashville, TN (2026)

Median Surgeon salary in Nashville is approximately $277,200/year — 1.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Nashville

$277,200
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$133
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$10,662
Monthly
$23,100
Annual (gross)
$277,200
vs Tennessee state average
State avg: $257,600
+$19,600
vs US national
National median: $280,000
-$2,800

After-tax estimate

$217,186
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$277,200
Federal tax (~14%)
−$38,808
FICA (7.65%)
−$21,206
Tennessee state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$217,186
Monthly take-home
$18,099
For exact take-home, use our Nashville Paycheck Calculator.
Surgeon salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Nashville
Dallas, TX0.99×$277,200+$0
Colorado Springs, CO0.99×$277,200+$0
Bakersfield, CA0.99×$277,200+$0
St. Petersburg, FL0.99×$277,200+$0
Madison, WI0.99×$277,200+$0

Surgeon salaries in Nashville, TN

The estimated median Surgeon salary in Nashville, Tennessee is $277,200/year, working out to approximately $133/hour at full-time, $10,662 per biweekly paycheck, or $23,100/month before taxes. Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.99× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Tennessee state average for this role ($257,600), Nashville pays about $19,600 more. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Nashville

Of the gross $277,200, you take home roughly $217,186 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Tennessee state income tax (none)
  • Nashville has no local income tax

That works out to about $18,099/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Nashville Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Nashville pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Nashville typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Nashville employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Surgeon Salary in Tennessee — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Nashville Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Surgeon salary in Nashville?
The estimated median Surgeon salary in Nashville, Tennessee is $277,200 per year, or approximately $133/hour at standard full-time. Nashville sits 1.0% below the US national average for this role.
Nashville vs Tennessee state — what's the salary difference?
Nashville: $277,200. Tennessee state average for Surgeon: $257,600. Difference: +$19,600 (7.6%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Nashville have a city income tax?
No, Nashville has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Tennessee state tax apply (Tennessee has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Nashville's cost of living relative to the US average. Nashville's multiplier is 0.99× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Surgeon in Nashville?
Estimate: $217,186/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Tennessee state tax (~0.0% effective), and Nashville local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Nashville Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.