Surgical Technologist Salary in Denver, CO: $81,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time surgical technologist in Denver, CO earns a median $81,179/year (≈ $39.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2055). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $76,742 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For surgical technologists in Denver, the projected median annual salary is $81,179 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $68,141. The salary range for these professionals spans from $56,768 at the 10th percentile to $97,579 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities available within the field. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicate a robust local demand for surgical technologists, driven in part by the increasing prevalence of robotic surgery procedures. In Denver, those with specialized skills, such as the robotic surgery certification, tend to command higher salaries, reflecting the city's dynamic healthcare environment and the focus on advanced surgical technology.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $56,768 | $27.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,183 | $32.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,179 | $39.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,010 | $42.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,579 | $46.91 |
Median Salary Position
19.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the surgical technologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,811 (2026 est.). At $81,179, the local median is 19.13% above the national median of $68,141.
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At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be above the median
How Denver Surgical Technologist Pay Compares
Denver median: $81,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $81,098 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $68,141 | +19.13% more |
Surgical Technologists in Denver, CO earn a median of $81,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.13% higher than the national median of $68,141 and 0.10% above the Colorado state average of $81,098.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,179 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,742 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,750
2025 BLS Actual
$77,020
2026 Current Est.
$81,179
2019–2027 Growth
+56.3%
Salary Trajectory for Surgical Technologists in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.40% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median surgical technologist salary grew 40.7% from $54,750 (2019) to $77,020 (2025). At a 5.40% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,813 (56.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $56,768 – $68,183 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,183 – $81,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,179 – $89,010 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,010 – $97,579 |
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 Denver
With approximately 1,210 surgical technologists employed in the Denver area, the local job market demonstrates significant opportunity for professionals seeking positions in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical units. However, aspiring surgical techs should consider the cost of living index in Denver, which sits at 105.782—above the national average—impacting overall purchasing power. Employers such as military and VA surgical units or trauma centers often provide higher wages, particularly for specialties like cardiovascular and neuro surgery. The variance in pay can also be influenced by factors like call coverage, travel surgical tech rates, and certifications that enhance competitive salaries. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing additional certifications or seeking out roles that involve specialized areas of surgery can further enhance one's income potential while navigating the evolving demands of the surgical technology field in Denver, CO.
More salary data for Denver, 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 $77,020 for surgical technologistsin the Denver 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