Surgical Technologist Salary in Colorado: $80,131 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median surgical technologist pay sits at $80,131/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2055. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $76,315 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($81,600), Arvada ($78,782), Thornton ($78,148).
For those considering a career as a surgical technologist in Colorado, the projected average median salary in 2026 is $80,130, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141, indicating a 17.6% premium for Colorado's professionals. Salaries can vary substantially across the state, with Boulder leading at $86,006, and Grand Junction at the lower end with $68,942. This $17,064 disparity often results from local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and specific hospital budgets. Colorado has specific licensing and certification requirements for surgical technologists that can influence salary levels. The state's scope of practice laws also shape the workforce landscape, as hospitals and surgical centers may offer competitive wages to attract skilled personnel. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.40%, job opportunities in this field are expected to expand, driven by increasing healthcare needs and technological advancements. The top cities for surgical technologist employment—Boulder, Arvada at $83,036, Thornton at $82,368, Greeley at $81,949, and Centennial at $81,923—reflect diverse opportunities, but moving to higher-paying areas may yield a more substantial financial return. Overall, the job market remains strong, supporting both new graduates and experienced professionals in this essential healthcare role.
Colorado Surgical Technologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $50,023 (lowest entry-level) to $127,670 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado surgical technologists earn 17.60% more than the national median (+$11,990/year difference).
Colorado Surgical Technologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Surgical Technologist salaries in Colorado range from $57,390 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,538 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,131. The Colorado median is $11,990 above the US national median of $68,141. The average hourly rate is $38.52/hr. Approximately 2,149 surgical technologists are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,279
2025 BLS Actual
$76,025
2026 Current Est.
$80,131
2019–2027 Growth
+52.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Colorado (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,518 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,262 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,441 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,246 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,025 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,131 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,458 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 37.5% from $55,279 (2019) to $76,025 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,458 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,179 (52.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Junction | $68,942 |
| Loveland | $69,873 |
| Fort Collins | $71,588 |
| Golden | $74,640 |
| Evans | $75,104 |
Best Value Cities for Surgical Technologists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for surgical technologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo | $81,095 | 91.762 | $88,375 |
| Greeley | $81,949 | 100.176 | $81,805 |
| Boulder | $86,006 | 105.202 | $81,753 |
| Arvada | $83,036 | 105 | $79,082 |
| Thornton | $82,368 | 105 | $78,446 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,390 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,131 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,538 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $86,006 |
| 2 | Arvada | $83,036 |
| 3 | Thornton | $82,368 |
| 4 | Greeley | $81,949 |
| 5 | Centennial | $81,923 |
| 6 | Westminster | $81,549 |
| 7 | Denver | $81,179 |
| 8 | Lakewood | $81,156 |
| 9 | Pueblo | $81,095 |
| 10 | Parker | $80,383 |
| 11 | Erie | $80,238 |
| 12 | Windsor | $80,037 |
| 13 | Castle Rock | $79,883 |
| 14 | Broomfield | $79,856 |
| 15 | Longmont | $79,831 |
| 16 | Aurora | $79,397 |
| 17 | Englewood | $79,219 |
| 18 | Commerce City | $78,668 |
| 19 | Lafayette | $78,483 |
| 20 | Wheat Ridge | $78,030 |
| 21 | Brighton | $77,299 |
| 22 | Littleton | $77,041 |
| 23 | Fountain | $76,998 |
| 24 | Northglenn | $76,922 |
| 25 | Steamboat Springs | $76,470 |
| 26 | Durango | $75,988 |
| 27 | Colorado Springs | $75,667 |
| 28 | Louisville | $75,543 |
| 29 | Evans | $75,104 |
| 30 | Golden | $74,640 |
| 31 | Fort Collins | $71,588 |
| 32 | Loveland | $69,873 |
| 33 | Grand Junction | $68,942 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced surgical technologists.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Surgical Technologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for surgical technologists in Colorado?
How does Colorado surgical technologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level surgical technologist salary in Colorado?
How many surgical technologists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for surgical technologists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 surgical technologist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more surgical technologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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