Surgical Technologist Salary in Boulder, CO: $86,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Boulder, CO earns a median $86,006/year (≈ $41.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Boulder's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.2), that paycheck buys what $81,753 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, surgical technologists in Boulder, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $86,006, significantly higher than the national median of $68,141—marking a 26.22% premium. The salary spectrum for this role ranges from $65,306 at the 10th percentile to as much as $103,039 at the 90th percentile, highlighting diverse compensation potential influenced by factors such as experience and specialization. This data is drawn from the 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects trends in a healthcare environment that increasingly values advanced qualifications, including robotic surgery certification. With 130 surgical technologists currently employed in Boulder, the market shows promise, driven by evolving surgical techniques and the demand for high-quality patient care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,306 | $31.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,247 | $32.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,006 | $41.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,002 | $43.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,039 | $49.54 |
Median Salary Position
26.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boulder
In Boulder, CO, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,733 (2026 est.). At $86,006, the local median is 26.22% above the national median of $68,141.
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How Boulder Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Boulder median: $86,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boulder Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $81,062 | +6.10% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +26.22% more |
Surgical Technologists in Boulder, CO earn a median of $86,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.22% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 6.10% above the Colorado state average of $81,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boulder has a cost of living 5.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boulder, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.202 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $86,006 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,753 — a 4.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,430
2025 BLS Actual
$81,600
2026 Current Est.
$86,006
2019–2027 Growth
+57.8%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,660 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,651 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boulder metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 42.1% from $57,430 (2019) to $81,600 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,651 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,221 (57.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boulder 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $65,306 – $68,247 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,247 – $86,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,006 – $91,002 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,002 – $103,039 |
Surg Tech, CST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual surgical technologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Surgical Technologist Job Market in Boulder
Boulder's cost of living index, currently at 105.202, suggests that while surgical technologist salaries are above average for the profession, take-home purchasing power is an important consideration for job seekers. Among local employers, hospital operating rooms and specialty surgical centers—particularly those focusing on orthopedic and ophthalmology procedures—often offer the highest salaries. Factors contributing to the variance between entry-level and specialized roles include the demand for skilled technicians in cardiovascular and neuro surgery, call coverage requirements, and additional compensation for roles like surgical first assistant. For those looking to maximize their surgical technologist pay in Boulder, pursuing credentials like the CST and gaining expertise in high-demand specialties, such as robotic surgery, can lead to higher earning potential.
More salary data for Boulder, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $81,600 for surgical technologistsin the Boulder metropolitan area. A 5.40% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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