Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Pueblo, CO: $58,739 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Pueblo, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $58,739 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Pueblo's local price level (BEA RPP 91.8 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $64,012 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($81,095) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For those entering the surgical technology field in Pueblo, Colorado, the starting salary for new graduates is projected to be around $58,739 in 2026. This initial pay reflects a significant gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $81,095. However, it is important to recognize that new graduates can expect to see salary growth over the first few years. As they gain experience, entry-level surgical technologists often progress towards salaries in the range of $64,716 to higher than $81,095, driven by additional skills and responsibilities. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.40%, Pueblo offers a promising job market for recent graduates eager to start their careers as surgical technologists.
Career Earnings Timeline in Pueblo
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pueblo
Entry-level surgical technologists in Pueblo, CO typically start between $58,739 and $64,716 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $39,631 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $81,095 — 19.01% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Colorado of $14,000 represents just 23.83% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($58,739/year) in Pueblo. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP/ARC-STSA-accredited surgical technology program data and community college tuition reports. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college vs. private vocational) and program length.
Surg Tech, CST Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Pueblo
- 1Research the Pueblo market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $58,739 to $64,716, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the surgical services field — employers in CO often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Pueblo, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Pueblo for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Pueblo's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Surgical Technologist Compensation Range
The surgical technologist wage spread in Pueblo is $39,631 ( 67.47%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $58,739, experienced hygienists can earn up to $98,370.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,820
2025 BLS Actual
$55,730
2026 Current Est.
$58,739
2019–2027 Growth
+55.5%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,739 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,911 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Pueblo, CO grew 40.0% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $39,820 in 2019 to $55,730 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $61,911. New graduates entering the Pueblo job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pueblo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.40% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your surgical services Career in Pueblo
Employers in Pueblo predominantly hire recent graduates from CAAHEP-accredited programs, with hospitals being the largest employers of entry-level surgical technologists. Ambulatory surgery centers also provide opportunities for new grads, typically featuring no-call work environments. To enhance starting pay and career prospects, earning the CST certification through the NBSTSA is vital, and credentials like robotic surgery certification can further differentiate applicants. First-year surgical technologists should look toward opportunities to specialize in in-demand fields such as cardiovascular or neurosurgery, which often command higher wages. New graduates should be realistic in their expectations, as first-year salaries will generally be below the city median; however, with diligence in self-advancement and specialization, they can anticipate steady salary increases within their first few years in this rewarding field.
More salary data for Pueblo, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new surgical services graduates. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Pueblo. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.40%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for surgical technologists (SOC 29-2055).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Thompson, BA, CST, a licensed surgical technologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov