Dialysis Technician Salary

Chattanooga vs Memphis: Dialysis Technician Salary (2026)

Compare dialysis technician salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Memphis, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$42,753
$20.55/hr
Memphis, TN
$41,915
$20.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNMemphis, TN
Median Salary$42,753$41,915
Hourly Rate$20.55$20.15
Entry Level (P10)$34,011$34,723
25th Percentile$34,678$35,156
75th Percentile$72,727$50,937
Top Earner (P90)$93,545$70,610
Total Employed90350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($42,753) and Memphis ($41,915) dialysis technician salaries.ChattanoogaMemphisMedian Salary$42,753$41,915Entry Level (P10)$34,011$34,723Top Earner (P90)$93,545$70,610US Median $45,322

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for dialysis technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Memphis.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Memphis is $838 (2.00%). Chattanooga's median is -5.67% compared to the US national median of $45,322.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $59,534,Memphis spans $35,887. Chattanooga has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$34,011
P25$34,678
Median$42,753
P75$72,727
P90 (Top)$93,545
Memphis
P10 (Entry)$34,723
P25$35,156
Median$41,915
P75$50,937
P90 (Top)$70,610

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($46,743 effective) pays 2.80% more than Memphis ($45,471 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $42,753
CoL Index: 91.464
Adjusted: $46,743
Memphis
Nominal: $41,915
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $45,471

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($42,753/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,545)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,743)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Memphis if…

  • Larger job market (350 employed)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dialysis technician salaries in Chattanooga grew 14.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -13.1% growth in Memphis over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+14.9%

$36,330 (2021) → $41,747 (2025)

Memphis, TN

+-13.1%

$47,110 (2021) → $40,929 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dialysis technicians more: Chattanooga or Memphis?

Chattanooga has a higher median dialysis technician salary at $42,753/year, compared to Memphis at $41,915/year — a difference of $838 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Memphis?

Chattanooga dialysis technicians earn $20.55/hr while Memphis hygienists earn $20.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Memphis as a dialysis technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Memphis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $46,743, Memphis = $45,471), job availability (90 vs 350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dialysis technicians earn in Chattanooga vs Memphis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dialysis technicians earn $34,011 in Chattanooga and $34,723 in Memphis. The Memphis area offers higher starting salaries.
JT

Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN

Career Analyst

Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Robinson, RNData verified by Amina Patel, BSN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.41% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov