Surg Tech Salary

Denver vs Northglenn: Surgical Technologist Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$81,179
$39.03/hr
Northglenn, CO
$76,922
$36.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, CONorthglenn, CO
Median Salary$81,179$76,922
Hourly Rate$39.03$36.98
Entry Level (P10)$56,768$57,006
25th Percentile$68,183$65,969
75th Percentile$89,010$94,650
Top Earner (P90)$97,579$113,296
Total Employed1,2109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($81,179) and Northglenn ($76,922) surgical technologist salaries.DenverNorthglennMedian Salary$81,179$76,922Entry Level (P10)$56,768$57,006Top Earner (P90)$97,579$113,296US Median $68,141

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Northglenn is $4,257 (5.53%). Denver's median is +19.13% 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,Northglenn spans $56,290. Northglenn 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
Northglenn
P10 (Entry)$57,006
P25$65,969
Median$76,922
P75$94,650
P90 (Top)$113,296

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($76,742 effective) pays 4.75% more than Northglenn ($73,259 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $81,179
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $76,742
Northglenn
Nominal: $76,922
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $73,259

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($81,179/year)
  • Larger job market (1,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,742)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Northglenn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($113,296)
  • 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 18.2% growth in Northglenn over the same period.

Denver, CO

+40.7%

$54,750 (2019) → $77,020 (2025)

Northglenn, CO

+18.2%

$61,750 (2024) → $72,981 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays surgical technologists more: Denver or Northglenn?

Denver has a higher median surgical technologist salary at $81,179/year, compared to Northglenn at $76,922/year — a difference of $4,257 (5.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Northglenn?

Denver surgical technologists earn $39.03/hr while Northglenn hygienists earn $36.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Northglenn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $76,742, Northglenn = $73,259), job availability (1,210 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) surgical technologists earn $56,768 in Denver and $57,006 in Northglenn. The Northglenn 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