Surg Tech Salary

Casper vs Cheyenne: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

Compare surgical technologist salaries between Casper, WY and Cheyenne, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$54,218
$26.07/hr
Cheyenne, WY
$64,665
$31.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYCheyenne, WY
Median Salary$54,218$64,665
Hourly Rate$26.07$31.09
Entry Level (P10)$43,825$43,662
25th Percentile$47,514$56,382
75th Percentile$68,489$81,237
Top Earner (P90)$84,236$98,603
Total Employed5013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($54,218) and Cheyenne ($64,665) surgical technologist salaries.CasperCheyenneMedian Salary$54,218$64,665Entry Level (P10)$43,825$43,662Top Earner (P90)$84,236$98,603US Median $68,141

Verdict

Cheyenne, WY offers better overall compensation for surgical technologists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Casper.

The salary gap between Casper and Cheyenne is $10,447 (19.27%). Cheyenne's median is -5.10% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $40,411,Cheyenne spans $54,941. Cheyenne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$43,825
P25$47,514
Median$54,218
P75$68,489
P90 (Top)$84,236
Cheyenne
P10 (Entry)$43,662
P25$56,382
Median$64,665
P75$81,237
P90 (Top)$98,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($67,500 effective) pays 16.81% more than Casper ($57,784 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $54,218
CoL Index: 93.829
Adjusted: $57,784
Cheyenne
Nominal: $64,665
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $67,500

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Cheyenne if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,665/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,603)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,500)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Casper grew 6.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 115.3% growth in Cheyenne over the same period.

Casper, WY

+6.4%

$48,350 (2021) → $51,440 (2025)

Cheyenne, WY

+115.3%

$28,500 (2021) → $61,352 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Casper or Cheyenne?

Cheyenne has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $64,665/year, compared to Casper at $54,218/year — a difference of $10,447 (19.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Cheyenne?

Casper surgical technologists earn $26.07/hr while Cheyenne hygienists earn $31.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casper to Cheyenne as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Cheyenne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $57,784, Cheyenne = $67,500), job availability (50 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Casper vs Cheyenne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $43,825 in Casper and $43,662 in Cheyenne. The Casper area offers higher starting salaries.
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