Entry-Level Surgical Technologist Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $56,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:New surgical technologists entering the Colorado Springs, CO job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,853 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-2055, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Colorado Springs's local price level (BEA RPP 100.7 — 1% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $56,454 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($75,667) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Embarking on a career as a surgical technologist in Colorado Springs presents promising financial prospects for new graduates in 2026. With an entry-level salary beginning at approximately $56,853, recent graduates can expect to see an upward trajectory as they gain experience. This starting pay is relatively lower than the city’s median annual salary of $75,667, which indicates a significant gap. However, aspiring surgical technologists should remain optimistic, as there is a clear growth path that leads from initial earnings to around $66,065 after gaining more experience in the field. Given the local demand for healthcare professionals and the projected annual growth rate of 5.40% in this sector, Colorado Springs is an encouraging market for new entrants looking to launch their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Colorado Springs
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 Colorado Springs
Entry-level surgical technologists in Colorado Springs, CO typically start between $56,853 and $66,065 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $31,883 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $75,667 — 11.04% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average surgical services program cost in Colorado of $14,000 represents just 24.62% of the starting surgical technologist pay ($56,853/year) in Colorado Springs. 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 Colorado Springs
- 1Research the Colorado Springs market: entry-level surgical technologist pay ranges from $56,853 to $66,065, 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 Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Colorado Springs's moderate 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 Colorado Springs is $31,883 ( 56.08%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,853, experienced hygienists can earn up to $88,736.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,740
2025 BLS Actual
$53,940
2026 Current Est.
$56,853
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,923 | Projected |
Entry-level surgical technologist compensation (10th percentile) in Colorado Springs, CO grew 23.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $43,740 in 2019 to $53,940 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $59,923. New graduates entering the Colorado Springs job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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 Colorado Springs
Within the Colorado Springs area, entry-level surgical technologists may find employment primarily in hospital operating rooms, which actively recruit new graduates for their general specialty rotations. Ambulatory surgery centers are another option, often offering a no-call lifestyle that is appealing to many new professionals. It is beneficial for early-career surgical technologists to gain credentials such as the CST certification through NBSTSA and complete their education from a CAAHEP-accredited program, as these are now federal hiring requirements established since 2021. Additionally, pursuing further specialization in high-demand areas like cardiovascular or neurosurgery can significantly enhance earning potential. Furthermore, obtaining robotic surgery (da Vinci) certification can be a key differentiator in securing roles that offer the highest pay in the field. As new grads navigate their first few years, realistic salary expectations can align with steady growth as experience and credentials accumulate.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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