Surg Tech Salary

Casper vs Gillette: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Casper, WY
$54,218
$26.07/hr
Gillette, WY
$61,845
$29.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYGillette, WY
Median Salary$54,218$61,845
Hourly Rate$26.07$29.73
Entry Level (P10)$43,825$45,710
25th Percentile$47,514$52,948
75th Percentile$68,489$76,010
Top Earner (P90)$84,236$88,756
Total Employed509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($54,218) and Gillette ($61,845) surgical technologist salaries.CasperGilletteMedian Salary$54,218$61,845Entry Level (P10)$43,825$45,710Top Earner (P90)$84,236$88,756US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Casper and Gillette is $7,627 (14.07%). Gillette's median is -9.24% 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,Gillette spans $43,046. Gillette 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
Gillette
P10 (Entry)$45,710
P25$52,948
Median$61,845
P75$76,010
P90 (Top)$88,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gillette ($64,556 effective) pays 11.72% more than Casper ($57,784 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $54,218
CoL Index: 93.829
Adjusted: $57,784
Gillette
Nominal: $61,845
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $64,556

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 Gillette if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,845/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,756)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,556)
  • 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 15.4% growth in Gillette over the same period.

Casper, WY

+6.4%

$48,350 (2021) → $51,440 (2025)

Gillette, WY

+15.4%

$50,825 (2024) → $58,676 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Casper or Gillette?

Gillette has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $61,845/year, compared to Casper at $54,218/year — a difference of $7,627 (14.07%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Gillette?

Casper surgical technologists earn $26.07/hr while Gillette hygienists earn $29.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Gillette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $57,784, Gillette = $64,556), job availability (50 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $43,825 in Casper and $45,710 in Gillette. The Gillette 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