Surgical Technologist in Colorado: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Allied healthcare
Colorado employs 2,100 surgical technologists, with a statewide median of $75,740 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Colorado licensing picture, and where to train.
What Surgical technologists Earn in Colorado (May 2025)
- Colorado median pay
- $75,740 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $51,040
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $83,000
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $92,580
- Employed in Colorado
- 2,100
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,830 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for surgical technologists in major Colorado markets:
- Boulder
- $81,600 (130 employed)
- Greeley
- $77,750 (50 employed)
- Denver
- $77,020 (1,210 employed)
- Colorado Springs
- $71,790 (240 employed)
- Fort Collins
- $67,920
- Grand Junction
- $65,410 (80 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Colorado
Prices in Colorado run about 3% above the national average (cost-of-living index 103.1 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $75,740 median is worth closer to $73,463 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Colorado (2024–2034)
Colorado is projected to grow surgical technologists employment +20.4%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Colorado License and Certification Requirements
Surgical Technologist state registration (required) — regulated by the Colorado Division of Professions & Occupations (DORA) — Surgical Assistant & Surgical Technologist registration.
- Colorado requires you to register as a Surgical Technologist with DORA to work in hospitals and surgery centers (in effect since 2010; renews annually, ~$40 background check).
- No specific schooling is mandated for the registration itself, but employers expect a CAAHEP-accredited surgical technology program.
- Earn the NBSTSA Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) credential — the hiring standard — then keep your state registration current.
Training in Colorado
A ~1–2 year program plus CST gets you into the OR. Confirm a program's CAAHEP accreditation and CST pass rate before enrolling.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Colorado include:
- Aims Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Arapahoe Community College — Certificate / Associate
- Colorado Mesa University — Certificate / Associate
- Colorado Mountain College — Certificate / Associate
Where Surgical technologists Work in Colorado
Real Colorado surgery centers that employ surgical technologists include:
- Uchealth Inverness Orthopedics and Spine Surgery — Englewood
- Ocr Loveland Surgery Center — Loveland
- South Denver Endoscopy Center — Englewood
- Foothills Surgery Center, LLC — Boulder
- Eccs at St Francis — Colorado Springs
- Midtown Surgical Center — Denver
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: Focused people who like structured clinical environments and precise routines.
Think twice if: Blood, surgery, standing for long cases, or high-pressure teams are dealbreakers.
Why it's resilient: Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
First Steps
Look for accredited surgical technology programs and clinical placement details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do surgical technologists make in Colorado?
The median wage for surgical technologists in Colorado is $75,740 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $51,040, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $92,580. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Surgical Technologist in Colorado?
Surgical Technologist state registration (required), overseen by the Colorado Division of Professions & Occupations (DORA) — Surgical Assistant & Surgical Technologist registration. Colorado requires you to register as a Surgical Technologist with DORA to work in hospitals and surgery centers (in effect since 2010; renews annually, ~$40 background check).
Is being a Surgical Technologist a good career in Colorado?
Operating room support is in-person, procedural, sterile, team-based, and high accountability.
Which Colorado metros pay surgical technologists the most?
Among Colorado metro areas, Boulder leads at $81,600, followed by Greeley ($77,750), Denver ($77,020). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.
Where can I train to become a Surgical Technologist in Colorado?
Real Colorado options include Aims Community College, Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Mesa University. Most surgical technologists start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Surgical Technologist a growing career in Colorado?
Colorado projects surgical technologists employment to change +20.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 openings a year — a growing field in the state.
Sources and Verification
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Colorado statewide and metro estimates for SOC 29-2055. Licensing summary compiled from the Colorado Division of Professions & Occupations (DORA) — Surgical Assistant & Surgical Technologist registration (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.
BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET Colorado wages · Colorado licensing/certification source
Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities; Employer lists from CMS Provider of Services, the FAA Part 145 directory, EIA Form 860, and USGS/state EMS registries (2026).
Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.