How do I become a Surgical Tech in Colorado?
In order to become a surgical technician (surgical tech) in Colorado (CO), you will need to complete a surgical tech program at an accredited surgical tech school. Surgical tech schools in Colorado are accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) as well as the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
A high school diploma or similar is typically a requirement for admittance into such programs. Some schools may require certain subjects such as biology or maths as a prerequisite. Additionally, you may be required to undergo some background checks and health screening as part of the admittance process.
Once you have graduated from an accredited program you can then choose to sit the National Board of Surgical Technology and Surgical Assisting (NBSTSA) certification exams to become a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST). Certification is not essential but it is generally preferred by employers and will help greatly with career advancement.
Colorado is one of the few states that require surgical technicians to be licensed.
Accredited Surgical Tech Programs in Colorado
| College | Metro Area | Website |
|---|---|---|
| Aims Community College | Greeley | aims.edu |
| Concorde Career College | Aurora | concorde.edu |
| Everest College | Denver | zenith.org |
| Pueblo Community College | Pueblo | pueblocc.edu |
Before you enrol in any surgical tech school it is strongly recommended that you confirm that it is fully accredited.
There are currently 4 accredited surgical technician programs in Colorado – listed above.
How long does it take to become a surgical tech in Colorado?
Most surgical tech programs will typically take between 9 months and 2 years to complete depending on whether it is a certificate or degree program.
You can also view the map below for more information on surgical technician programs in Colorado.
How much does a Surgical Tech make in Colorado
| Average Salary | $52,450 |
|---|---|
| Hourly Wage | $25.22 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $68,170 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $40,040 |
| # Employed | 1,580 |
According to the most up to date Bureau of Labor Statistics data released in March 2018, the average surgical technician salary in Colorado is $52,450 – 9% more than the national average of $48,060.
This represents an hourly wage of $25.22.
Those in the top pay brackets for the profession in Colorado earn an average salary of $68,170 whilst those in the lower pay brackets and in entry-level positions earn an average of $40,040 per annum.
There are currently 1,580 persons working as surgical technicians in Colorado.
Colorado Surgical Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
The table below details salary and employment levels for surgical technicians in the main cities and metro areas in Colorado.
As can be seen from the table the highest average salaries for surgical techs in Colorado are in the Pueblo area whilst the highest number of surgical tech jobs are in Boulder.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $45,640 | $58,820 | $35,130 | 440 |
| Colorado Springs | $44,390 | $69,750 | $23,180 | 70 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood | $41,170 | $55,800 | $29,260 | 50 |
| Fort Collins | $42,120 | $58,210 | $28,360 | 50 |
| Grand Junction | $50,130 | $63,750 | $35,410 | 50 |
| Pueblo | $51,240 | $64,930 | $34,830 | 50 |
Surgical Tech V’s Related Careers
A career as a surgical technician offers great income potential and excellent job prospects with growth of over 11% projected between 2016 and 2024.
The table below compares the average surgical technician salary and employment in Colorado with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologist | $52,450 | 1,580 |
| Medical Assistant | $35,260 | 9,810 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,040 | 20,540 |
| Dental Assistant | $38,660 | 7,080 |
| EMT Paramedic | $41,900 | 4,220 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $27,940 | 290 |
| Respiratory Therapy Tech | $40,190 | 110 |
| Veterinary Technician | $34,460 | 3,920 |
| Phlebotomy Technician | $34,930 | 1,670 |
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