Surg Tech Salary

Denver vs Greeley: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$81,179
$39.03/hr
Greeley, CO
$81,949
$39.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COGreeley, CO
Median Salary$81,179$81,949
Hourly Rate$39.03$39.40
Entry Level (P10)$56,768$60,890
25th Percentile$68,183$64,547
75th Percentile$89,010$95,398
Top Earner (P90)$97,579$104,430
Total Employed1,21050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($81,179) and Greeley ($81,949) surgical technologist salaries.DenverGreeleyMedian Salary$81,179$81,949Entry Level (P10)$56,768$60,890Top Earner (P90)$97,579$104,430US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Greeley is $770 (0.95%). Greeley's median is +20.26% compared to the US national median of $68,141.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $40,811,Greeley spans $43,540. Greeley has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced surgical technologists.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$56,768
P25$68,183
Median$81,179
P75$89,010
P90 (Top)$97,579
Greeley
P10 (Entry)$60,890
P25$64,547
Median$81,949
P75$95,398
P90 (Top)$104,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greeley ($81,805 effective) pays 6.60% more than Denver ($76,742 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $81,179
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $76,742
Greeley
Nominal: $81,949
CoL Index: 100.176
Adjusted: $81,805

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Larger job market (1,210 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Greeley if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,949/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,430)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,805)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, surgical technologist salaries in Denver grew 40.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Greeley over the same period.

Denver, CO

+40.7%

$54,750 (2019) → $77,020 (2025)

Greeley, CO

+13.2%

$68,690 (2024) → $77,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Denver or Greeley?

Greeley has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $81,949/year, compared to Denver at $81,179/year — a difference of $770 (0.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Greeley?

Denver surgical technologists earn $39.03/hr while Greeley hygienists earn $39.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Greeley as a surgical technologist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Greeley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $76,742, Greeley = $81,805), job availability (1,210 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level surgical technologists earn in Denver vs Greeley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $56,768 in Denver and $60,890 in Greeley. The Greeley 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