Surg Tech Salary

Boulder vs Evans: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Boulder, CO and Evans, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boulder, CO
$86,006
$41.35/hr
Evans, CO
$75,104
$36.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoulder, COEvans, CO
Median Salary$86,006$75,104
Hourly Rate$41.35$36.11
Entry Level (P10)$65,306$58,048
25th Percentile$68,247$66,113
75th Percentile$91,002$91,616
Top Earner (P90)$103,039$108,236
Total Employed1305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boulder ($86,006) and Evans ($75,104) surgical technologist salaries.BoulderEvansMedian Salary$86,006$75,104Entry Level (P10)$65,306$58,048Top Earner (P90)$103,039$108,236US Median $68,141

Verdict

Boulder, CO offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evans.

The salary gap between Boulder and Evans is $10,902 (14.52%). Boulder's median is +26.22% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boulder spans $37,733,Evans spans $50,188. Evans has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Boulder
P10 (Entry)$65,306
P25$68,247
Median$86,006
P75$91,002
P90 (Top)$103,039
Evans
P10 (Entry)$58,048
P25$66,113
Median$75,104
P75$91,616
P90 (Top)$108,236

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boulder ($81,753 effective) pays 14.30% more than Evans ($71,528 effective).

Boulder
Nominal: $86,006
CoL Index: 105.202
Adjusted: $81,753
Evans
Nominal: $75,104
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $71,528

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boulder if…

  • Higher median salary ($86,006/year)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,753)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Evans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,236)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Boulder grew 42.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.2% growth in Evans over the same period.

Boulder, CO

+42.1%

$57,430 (2019) → $81,600 (2025)

Evans, CO

+18.2%

$60,291 (2024) → $71,256 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Boulder or Evans?

Boulder has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $86,006/year, compared to Evans at $75,104/year — a difference of $10,902 (14.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boulder and Evans?

Boulder surgical technologists earn $41.35/hr while Evans hygienists earn $36.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boulder to Evans as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boulder and Evans. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boulder = $81,753, Evans = $71,528), job availability (130 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Boulder vs Evans?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $65,306 in Boulder and $58,048 in Evans. The Boulder area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JT

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Ramirez, AAS, CSTData verified by Fatima Ali, BS, CST

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.40% 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 Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov