Sterile processing technician salary
BLS occupation: Medical Equipment Preparers · Healthcare support · data for May 2025
Median salary $47,700 a year, US
Median hourly pay $22.93 an hour
Middle half earn $39,800–$58,570 25th to 75th percentile
Sterile processing technicians employed 77,420 +10.8% projected by 2035
How much does a sterile processing technician make?
- The median sterile processing technician salary in the US is $47,700 a year ($22.93 an hour): half of the 77,420 sterile processing technicians BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $50,510.
- The middle half earn between $39,800 and $58,570. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $36,410 and the top 10% more than $69,950.
- That is 6% less than the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays sterile processing technicians the most (median $61,370), followed by Washington ($58,830) and Massachusetts ($58,580). Mississippi pays the least ($35,160).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in California, where the median is worth $55,428 in typical US prices, then Massachusetts and Washington.
- In 8 of the 241 metro areas with data, the median sterile processing technician salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of sterile processing technicians to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 10,700 openings a year. The typical entry education is a high school diploma or equivalent.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what sterile processing technicians are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Sterile processing technician salary range
Half of sterile processing technicians earn between $39,800 and $58,570 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $36,410
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $39,800
Median Yearly pay: $47,700
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $58,570
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $69,950
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $36,410 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $39,800 |
| Median | $47,700 |
| Top 25% earn over | $58,570 |
| Top 10% earn over | $69,950 |
Sterile processing technician salary by state
California pays sterile processing technicians the most; Mississippi the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($47,700), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $61,370 median |
| Washington | $58,830 median |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 median |
| New York | $57,320 median |
| Delaware | $53,300 median |
| Hawaii | $51,630 median |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 median |
| New Jersey | $50,280 median |
| Minnesota | $50,070 median |
| Alaska | $49,920 median |
| Vermont | $48,990 median |
| New Hampshire | $48,900 median |
| Oregon | $48,890 median |
| Maryland | $48,680 median |
| District of Columbia | $48,670 median |
| Wyoming | $48,210 median |
| Illinois | $48,050 median |
| Connecticut | $47,980 median |
| Utah | $47,980 median |
| Georgia | $47,850 median |
| Colorado | $47,700 median |
| Wisconsin | $47,570 median |
| Tennessee | $46,990 median |
| Texas | $46,970 median |
| Kentucky | $46,880 median |
| Maine | $46,860 median |
| Arizona | $46,790 median |
| Nevada | $46,640 median |
| Virginia | $46,580 median |
| Idaho | $46,450 median |
| Florida | $45,890 median |
| Pennsylvania | $45,820 median |
| Michigan | $45,670 median |
| Ohio | $45,540 median |
| Kansas | $45,280 median |
| Indiana | $45,210 median |
| North Carolina | $45,130 median |
| West Virginia | $44,830 median |
| Montana | $44,670 median |
| Missouri | $43,480 median |
| Oklahoma | $43,460 median |
| South Carolina | $42,510 median |
| South Dakota | $42,330 median |
| Nebraska | $41,480 median |
| Iowa | $39,930 median |
| North Dakota | $38,910 median |
| Arkansas | $38,100 median |
| New Mexico | $36,720 median |
| Louisiana | $35,960 median |
| Alabama | $35,800 median |
| Mississippi | $35,160 median |
Where sterile processing technician pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Sterile processing technicians' pay goes furthest in California once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| California | $55,428 |
| Massachusetts | $55,391 |
| Washington | $54,975 |
| Delaware | $53,403 |
| New York | $53,113 |
| Wyoming | $52,012 |
| Kentucky | $51,997 |
| Tennessee | $51,148 |
| Minnesota | $50,770 |
| Wisconsin | $50,555 |
Sterile processing technician pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $61,370 | $29.50 | $43,680 | $85,240 | 8,720 | $55,428 |
| Washington | $58,830 | $28.28 | $41,210 | $79,880 | 1,670 | $54,975 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | $28.16 | $40,980 | $77,130 | 1,900 | $55,391 |
| New York | $57,320 | $27.56 | $39,140 | $71,000 | 5,190 | $53,113 |
| Delaware | $53,300 | $25.63 | $47,120 | $63,450 | 190 | $53,403 |
| Hawaii | $51,630 | $24.82 | $42,830 | $61,170 | 220 | $46,957 |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 | $24.74 | $39,940 | $62,500 | 190 | $50,313 |
| New Jersey | $50,280 | $24.17 | $38,050 | $69,570 | 2,440 | $46,211 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 | $24.07 | $40,900 | $61,580 | 1,390 | $50,770 |
| Alaska | $49,920 | $24.00 | $45,750 | $77,590 | 220 | $48,770 |
| Vermont | $48,990 | $23.55 | $39,560 | $73,330 | 140 | $50,011 |
| New Hampshire | $48,900 | $23.51 | $40,180 | $62,170 | 380 | $46,945 |
| Oregon | $48,890 | $23.50 | $35,810 | $63,770 | 1,570 | $47,300 |
| Maryland | $48,680 | $23.40 | $37,440 | $62,820 | 1,160 | $46,380 |
| District of Columbia | $48,670 | $23.40 | $39,190 | $77,820 | 310 | $44,285 |
| Wyoming | $48,210 | $23.18 | $37,590 | $60,220 | 120 | $52,012 |
| Illinois | $48,050 | $23.10 | $38,280 | $66,390 | 2,800 | $48,070 |
| Connecticut | $47,980 | $23.07 | $38,910 | $62,690 | 1,060 | $46,308 |
| Utah | $47,980 | $23.07 | $39,760 | $64,920 | 600 | $48,531 |
| Georgia | $47,850 | $23.00 | $36,660 | $62,960 | 1,860 | $49,692 |
| Colorado | $47,700 | $22.93 | $35,760 | $65,170 | 1,950 | $46,287 |
| Wisconsin | $47,570 | $22.87 | $38,170 | $59,180 | 1,380 | $50,555 |
| Tennessee | $46,990 | $22.59 | $35,090 | $60,360 | 1,590 | $51,148 |
| Texas | $46,970 | $22.58 | $35,390 | $69,950 | 4,520 | $48,394 |
| Kentucky | $46,880 | $22.54 | $35,340 | $60,410 | 1,120 | $51,997 |
| Maine | $46,860 | $22.53 | $38,010 | $59,780 | 510 | $48,284 |
| Arizona | $46,790 | $22.50 | $35,290 | $60,760 | 2,320 | $46,475 |
| Nevada | $46,640 | $22.42 | $38,450 | $60,890 | 510 | $46,650 |
| Virginia | $46,580 | $22.39 | $37,320 | $61,280 | 1,840 | $46,071 |
| Idaho | $46,450 | $22.33 | $35,600 | $60,350 | 580 | $48,642 |
| Florida | $45,890 | $22.06 | $35,630 | $62,000 | 5,250 | $44,375 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,820 | $22.03 | $37,500 | $57,070 | 3,450 | $46,960 |
| Michigan | $45,670 | $21.96 | $37,750 | $58,050 | 2,420 | $47,466 |
| Ohio | $45,540 | $21.89 | $36,620 | $57,870 | 3,210 | $49,087 |
| Kansas | $45,280 | $21.77 | $34,320 | $59,750 | 740 | $50,273 |
| Indiana | $45,210 | $21.74 | $35,400 | $60,530 | 1,750 | $48,442 |
| North Carolina | $45,130 | $21.70 | $36,410 | $58,950 | 2,900 | $47,845 |
| West Virginia | $44,830 | $21.55 | $34,690 | $51,970 | 530 | $50,091 |
| Montana | $44,670 | $21.48 | $36,810 | $56,770 | 330 | $47,197 |
| Missouri | $43,480 | $20.90 | $34,510 | $58,420 | 1,970 | $47,876 |
| Oklahoma | $43,460 | $20.89 | $34,400 | $57,770 | 690 | $49,475 |
| South Carolina | $42,510 | $20.44 | $31,840 | $57,910 | 1,160 | $45,344 |
| South Dakota | $42,330 | $20.35 | $31,680 | $54,680 | 480 | $47,784 |
| Nebraska | $41,480 | $19.94 | $36,250 | $57,260 | 550 | $46,036 |
| Iowa | $39,930 | $19.20 | $37,070 | $52,300 | 590 | $45,498 |
| North Dakota | $38,910 | $18.71 | $37,600 | $61,440 | 350 | $43,739 |
| Arkansas | $38,100 | $18.32 | $32,490 | $48,530 | 320 | $43,825 |
| New Mexico | $36,720 | $17.65 | $31,040 | $56,530 | 300 | $39,821 |
| Louisiana | $35,960 | $17.29 | $27,880 | $50,440 | 620 | $40,768 |
| Alabama | $35,800 | $17.21 | $30,180 | $45,670 | 1,000 | $40,305 |
| Mississippi | $35,160 | $16.90 | $30,140 | $47,330 | 350 | $40,436 |
After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Sterile processing technician salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes sterile processing technician pay: 244 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- Vallejo, CA $82,610
- San Francisco, CA $82,140
- Santa Cruz, CA $81,370
- San Jose, CA $81,090
- Sacramento, CA $79,490
- San Luis Obispo, CA $75,800
- San Diego, CA $67,830
- Seattle, WA $61,870
- Redding, CA $61,840
- Barnstable, MA $61,160
Where the pay goes furthest
- Vallejo, CA $76,153
- Sacramento, CA $74,520
- Santa Cruz, CA $74,043
- San Jose, CA $73,436
- San Francisco, CA $71,047
- San Luis Obispo, CA $69,800
- Barnstable, MA $62,185
- Redding, CA $61,420
- San Diego, CA $60,624
- Stockton, CA $58,103
All 244 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $82,610 | 140 | $76,153 | 36% |
| San Francisco, CA | $82,140 | 1,070 | $71,047 | 50% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $81,370 | 50 | $74,043 | 51% |
| San Jose, CA | $81,090 | 540 | $73,436 | 56% |
| Sacramento, CA | $79,490 | 680 | $74,520 | 34% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $75,800 | 60 | $69,800 | 44% |
| San Diego, CA | $67,830 | 630 | $60,624 | 52% |
| Seattle, WA | $61,870 | 910 | $55,672 | 44% |
| Redding, CA | $61,840 | 40 | $61,420 | 32% |
| Barnstable, MA | $61,160 | 40 | $62,185 | 51% |
| Stockton, CA | $61,060 | 100 | $58,103 | 48% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $60,980 | 150 | $56,576 | 52% |
| Boston, MA | $60,840 | 1,310 | $56,195 | 59% |
| Salinas, CA | $60,490 | 70 | $55,474 | 55% |
| Oxnard, CA | $60,380 | 100 | $54,626 | 59% |
| Riverside, CA | $59,560 | 800 | $55,955 | 51% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $59,520 | 3,010 | $52,410 | 59% |
| New York, NY | $58,870 | 5,270 | $52,300 | 72% |
| Worcester, MA | $57,760 | 200 | $56,339 | 44% |
| Boulder, CO | $54,110 | 90 | $51,434 | 49% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $53,420 | 920 | $50,963 | 39% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $51,730 | 80 | $54,792 | 33% |
| Spokane, WA | $51,660 | 140 | $51,482 | 35% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $51,540 | 180 | $51,178 | 41% |
| Honolulu, HI | $51,520 | 160 | $46,431 | 70% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $51,360 | – | $50,787 | 46% |
| Wenatchee, WA | $51,360 | 30 | $49,454 | 41% |
| Merced, CA | $51,110 | 40 | $52,007 | 48% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $51,010 | 80 | $46,885 | 77% |
| Portland, OR | $51,000 | 890 | $48,377 | 42% |
| Burlington, VT | $50,890 | 70 | $50,412 | 61% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $50,860 | 90 | $51,448 | 48% |
| Washington, DC | $50,600 | 1,070 | $46,471 | 57% |
| North Port, FL | $50,510 | 210 | $49,318 | 50% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $50,370 | 1,660 | $49,116 | 45% |
| Dallas, TX | $50,300 | 1,210 | $48,792 | 40% |
| Grants Pass, OR | $50,280 | 30 | $51,432 | 38% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $50,030 | 230 | $49,594 | 46% |
| Eau Claire, WI | $49,860 | 60 | $53,731 | 28% |
| Madison, WI | $49,600 | 220 | $50,983 | 43% |
| Atlanta, GA | $49,430 | 1,060 | $49,401 | 45% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $49,290 | 120 | $45,046 | 55% |
| Austin, TX | $49,270 | 370 | $50,242 | 39% |
| Anchorage, AK | $49,260 | 150 | $46,727 | 46% |
| Nashville, TN | $49,260 | 540 | $51,132 | 44% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $49,070 | 40 | $47,900 | 53% |
| Greeley, CO | $48,950 | 30 | $48,864 | 41% |
| New Haven, CT | $48,950 | 270 | $46,816 | 50% |
| Providence, RI | $48,930 | 340 | $48,078 | 53% |
| Visalia, CA | $48,810 | 50 | $48,896 | 43% |
| Louisville, KY | $48,800 | 480 | $52,431 | 33% |
| Manchester, NH | $48,800 | 90 | $46,187 | 53% |
| Greenville, SC | $48,720 | 220 | $52,241 | 39% |
| Waterbury, CT | $48,720 | 70 | $48,828 | – |
| Las Vegas, NV | $48,710 | 320 | $48,605 | 43% |
| Chicago, IL | $48,630 | 2,140 | $46,942 | 53% |
| Ogden, UT | $48,610 | 90 | $48,441 | 40% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $48,530 | 60 | $50,830 | 43% |
| Baltimore, MD | $48,510 | 680 | $46,427 | 48% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $48,130 | 780 | $50,467 | 38% |
| Fresno, CA | $48,060 | 330 | $47,045 | 51% |
| Kennewick, WA | $48,050 | 70 | $48,012 | 42% |
| Kingsport, TN | $48,050 | 80 | $55,583 | 33% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $48,020 | 230 | $44,936 | 72% |
| Provo, UT | $47,980 | 110 | $48,844 | 44% |
| Rochester, MN | $47,960 | 140 | $52,807 | 40% |
| Bismarck, ND | $47,910 | 60 | $52,634 | 33% |
| Bend, OR | $47,880 | 110 | $46,213 | 56% |
| Medford, OR | $47,860 | 80 | $47,184 | 46% |
| Syracuse, NY | $47,830 | 250 | $49,957 | 41% |
| Duluth, MN | $47,800 | 80 | $53,848 | 33% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $47,800 | 500 | $49,310 | 39% |
| Corvallis, OR | $47,670 | 40 | $45,829 | 46% |
| Hagerstown, MD | $47,630 | 50 | $50,578 | 41% |
| Athens, GA | $47,600 | 60 | $50,995 | 45% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $47,540 | 170 | $47,122 | 46% |
| Appleton, WI | $47,460 | 40 | $51,353 | 30% |
| Bellingham, WA | $47,440 | 70 | $45,909 | 49% |
| Salem, OR | $47,430 | 90 | $45,760 | 42% |
| Eugene, OR | $47,420 | 260 | $46,688 | 45% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $47,320 | 1,800 | $45,801 | 44% |
| Houston, TX | $47,270 | 1,270 | $47,927 | 42% |
| Tampa, FL | $47,180 | 920 | $46,764 | 51% |
| Lexington, KY | $47,150 | 250 | $50,760 | 41% |
| Green Bay, WI | $47,100 | 100 | $50,598 | 29% |
| Buffalo, NY | $47,050 | 410 | $49,090 | 37% |
| Pueblo, CO | $47,030 | 70 | $51,252 | 34% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $47,020 | 220 | $45,941 | 47% |
| Charleston, SC | $46,890 | 150 | $46,443 | 52% |
| Chico, CA | $46,870 | – | $46,316 | 40% |
| Lansing, MI | $46,830 | 80 | $49,299 | 33% |
| Pensacola, FL | $46,780 | 130 | $47,873 | 45% |
| Bremerton, WA | $46,740 | 40 | $44,258 | 53% |
| Evansville, IN | $46,650 | 90 | $50,968 | 28% |
| Wausau, WI | $46,650 | 40 | $50,350 | 25% |
| Flint, MI | $46,640 | 80 | $50,132 | 27% |
| Richmond, VA | $46,640 | 300 | $47,661 | 44% |
| Raleigh, NC | $46,630 | 320 | $47,506 | 43% |
| Binghamton, NY | $46,550 | 70 | $50,128 | 42% |
| Boise, ID | $46,450 | 260 | $47,210 | 50% |
| Springfield, MA | $46,450 | 190 | $48,355 | 51% |
| Charlotte, NC | $46,420 | 630 | $47,685 | 45% |
| Columbia, MO | $46,340 | 160 | $51,812 | 38% |
| Miami, FL | $46,330 | 1,350 | $40,585 | 69% |
| York, PA | $46,320 | 110 | $48,250 | 36% |
| Hartford, CT | $46,310 | 400 | $45,072 | 52% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $46,280 | 770 | $48,361 | 40% |
| Knoxville, TN | $46,250 | 210 | $49,963 | 45% |
| Bangor, ME | $46,200 | 60 | $47,872 | 39% |
| Kansas City, MO | $46,190 | 800 | $49,912 | 40% |
| Huntington, WV | $46,170 | 100 | $52,216 | 28% |
| Trenton, NJ | $46,170 | 100 | $44,747 | 66% |
| Missoula, MT | $46,080 | 50 | $47,779 | 42% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $46,030 | 430 | $46,269 | 44% |
| Yakima, WA | $46,020 | 40 | $48,166 | 36% |
| Albany, NY | $46,010 | 230 | $46,211 | 44% |
| Billings, MT | $45,940 | 110 | $49,120 | 36% |
| Elkhart, IN | $45,910 | 40 | $50,828 | 31% |
| Macon, GA | $45,900 | 70 | $51,848 | 32% |
| St. Louis, MO | $45,880 | 890 | $48,250 | 37% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $45,870 | 300 | $48,008 | 42% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $45,860 | 220 | $50,140 | 39% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $45,840 | 90 | $50,345 | 39% |
| Columbus, OH | $45,820 | 550 | $47,995 | 40% |
| Lancaster, PA | $45,820 | 160 | $46,633 | 41% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $45,790 | 320 | $50,648 | 36% |
| Scranton, PA | $45,760 | 160 | $48,912 | 36% |
| Portland, ME | $45,660 | 250 | $44,827 | 60% |
| Little Rock, AR | $45,620 | 140 | $51,050 | 32% |
| Charleston, WV | $45,610 | 100 | $51,411 | 32% |
| Peoria, IL | $45,610 | 130 | $49,994 | 30% |
| Utica, NY | $45,600 | 40 | $49,203 | 37% |
| Greensboro, NC | $45,590 | 190 | $49,093 | 37% |
| Rochester, NY | $45,590 | 320 | $46,983 | 40% |
| Detroit, MI | $45,570 | 1,030 | $45,435 | 40% |
| Akron, OH | $45,540 | 190 | $48,774 | 34% |
| Denver, CO | $45,490 | 1,280 | $43,004 | 50% |
| Memphis, TN | $45,480 | 280 | $49,339 | 37% |
| Johnson City, TN | $45,470 | 60 | $51,713 | 39% |
| Mansfield, OH | $45,460 | 30 | $51,152 | 24% |
| Rapid City, SD | $45,460 | 80 | $50,987 | 38% |
| Sebastian, FL | $45,410 | 40 | $46,192 | 56% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $45,330 | 300 | $45,950 | 39% |
| Cleveland, OH | $45,300 | 680 | $48,231 | 38% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,130 | 480 | $49,031 | 41% |
| Allentown, PA | $45,110 | 270 | $45,124 | 49% |
| San Antonio, TX | $45,090 | 390 | $47,605 | 38% |
| Lafayette, IN | $45,060 | 60 | $48,229 | 39% |
| Saginaw, MI | $45,060 | 60 | $49,576 | 28% |
| Des Moines, IA | $45,020 | 110 | $49,094 | 34% |
| Toledo, OH | $45,020 | 180 | $49,226 | 34% |
| Amarillo, TX | $45,010 | 40 | $49,020 | 35% |
| Joplin, MO | $44,890 | 40 | $52,369 | 33% |
| Bloomington, IN | $44,880 | 50 | $47,200 | 47% |
| Bozeman, MT | $44,670 | 40 | $43,576 | 59% |
| Tucson, AZ | $44,610 | 260 | $46,039 | 40% |
| Tyler, TX | $44,590 | 120 | $48,385 | 35% |
| Rockford, IL | $44,540 | 90 | $48,332 | 35% |
| Durham, NC | $44,230 | – | $45,331 | 44% |
| Columbia, SC | $44,180 | 310 | $47,170 | 42% |
| Kenosha, WI | $44,180 | 30 | $43,692 | – |
| Ocala, FL | $44,120 | 60 | $46,328 | 43% |
| Paducah, KY | $44,050 | 30 | $51,171 | 31% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $43,950 | 40 | $44,731 | 51% |
| Erie, PA | $43,870 | 70 | $48,235 | 31% |
| Dayton, OH | $43,720 | 350 | $47,166 | 36% |
| Olympia, WA | $43,680 | 60 | $42,134 | 56% |
| Orlando, FL | $43,680 | 860 | $43,069 | 53% |
| Reno, NV | $43,680 | 150 | $43,242 | 57% |
| Savannah, GA | $43,650 | 120 | $45,848 | 49% |
| Naples, FL | $43,550 | 50 | $42,200 | 72% |
| Asheville, NC | $43,540 | 120 | $45,116 | 47% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $43,480 | 30 | $45,942 | 37% |
| Canton, OH | $43,310 | 100 | $48,442 | 32% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $43,250 | 90 | $45,603 | 36% |
| Augusta, GA | $43,180 | 130 | $46,984 | 41% |
| Janesville, WI | $43,010 | 40 | $45,900 | 36% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $42,730 | 30 | $45,717 | 49% |
| Reading, PA | $42,590 | 70 | $43,880 | 44% |
| Sioux City, IA | $42,430 | 40 | $49,078 | 37% |
| Hickory, NC | $42,260 | 70 | $47,759 | 45% |
| Tulsa, OK | $41,720 | 220 | $46,764 | 40% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $41,670 | 640 | $44,016 | 42% |
| El Paso, TX | $41,620 | 90 | $46,290 | 44% |
| Bloomington, IL | $41,550 | 40 | $44,421 | 37% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $41,550 | 120 | $41,548 | 54% |
| Lincoln, NE | $41,410 | 100 | $45,217 | 37% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $41,070 | 40 | $46,165 | 36% |
| Deltona, FL | $40,760 | 160 | $41,020 | 52% |
| Wilmington, NC | $40,580 | 130 | $42,086 | 52% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $40,280 | 300 | $44,444 | 38% |
| Lima, OH | $40,150 | 40 | $44,776 | 36% |
| Lakeland, FL | $40,100 | 100 | $41,280 | 54% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $40,000 | 60 | $42,716 | 52% |
| South Bend, IN | $39,950 | 80 | $43,023 | 38% |
| Davenport, IA | $39,930 | 50 | $44,825 | 30% |
| Traverse City, MI | $39,840 | 60 | $42,668 | 56% |
| Springfield, IL | $39,780 | 80 | $42,892 | 36% |
| Lubbock, TX | $39,580 | 120 | $43,344 | 40% |
| Youngstown, OH | $39,580 | 90 | $45,289 | 32% |
| Waterloo, IA | $39,530 | 40 | $45,407 | 31% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $39,490 | 120 | $39,400 | 70% |
| Omaha, NE | $39,430 | 320 | $42,900 | 43% |
| Norwich, CT | $39,360 | 60 | $39,186 | 64% |
| Iowa City, IA | $39,170 | 150 | $42,805 | 54% |
| Fargo, ND | $38,910 | 220 | $42,819 | 34% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $38,890 | 560 | $39,708 | 58% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $38,780 | 140 | $41,892 | 39% |
| Jackson, TN | $38,740 | 50 | $45,298 | 43% |
| Gulfport, MS | $38,430 | 50 | $42,697 | 44% |
| Columbus, GA | $38,350 | 60 | $42,947 | 42% |
| New Orleans, LA | $38,320 | 130 | $41,384 | 49% |
| Greenville, NC | $38,280 | 130 | $43,302 | 46% |
| Slidell, LA | $38,260 | 40 | $41,261 | – |
| Springfield, MO | $38,130 | 190 | $43,043 | 39% |
| McAllen, TX | $37,990 | 80 | $44,228 | 35% |
| Wichita, KS | $37,930 | 150 | $42,644 | 38% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,890 | 40 | $41,195 | 46% |
| The Villages, FL | $37,880 | 30 | $44,344 | 55% |
| Grand Forks, ND | $37,600 | 30 | $43,386 | 36% |
| Jackson, MS | $37,190 | 110 | $41,764 | 47% |
| Champaign, IL | $37,160 | – | $40,085 | 45% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $36,970 | 70 | $42,949 | 33% |
| Lafayette, LA | $36,930 | 60 | $42,347 | 45% |
| Montgomery, AL | $36,920 | 180 | $41,168 | 45% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $36,820 | 190 | $38,536 | 49% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $36,810 | 90 | $40,294 | 51% |
| Farmington, NM | $36,720 | 40 | $41,867 | 46% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $36,660 | 70 | $40,383 | 45% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $36,320 | 80 | $39,192 | 47% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $36,250 | 50 | $38,597 | 49% |
| Birmingham, AL | $36,240 | 320 | $39,544 | 46% |
| Daphne, AL | $36,080 | 40 | $38,103 | 57% |
| Beaumont, TX | $35,980 | 60 | $39,957 | 44% |
| Shreveport, LA | $35,830 | 150 | $42,269 | 43% |
| Longview, TX | $35,780 | 50 | $39,984 | 39% |
| Huntsville, AL | $35,590 | 80 | $38,239 | 47% |
| Pocatello, ID | $35,550 | 30 | $39,986 | 36% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $34,320 | 50 | $39,163 | 46% |
| Mobile, AL | $34,250 | 90 | $38,877 | 45% |
| Alexandria, LA | $31,710 | 30 | $37,007 | 39% |
| Florence, SC | $30,910 | 160 | $35,621 | 59% |
| Dothan, AL | $30,270 | 90 | $36,107 | 48% |
| Houma, LA | $29,350 | 30 | $34,488 | 53% |
What the median sterile processing technician salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $47,700 |
| Month | $3,975 |
| Every two weeks | $1,835 |
| Week | $917 |
| Hour | $22.93 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a sterile processing technician: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | Moderate-term on-the-job training |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +10.8% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 10,700 |
| Self-employed | 2.3% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Physical therapist assistant | $68,380 | Associate's degree |
| CNA | $42,260 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Occupational therapy assistant | $72,300 | Associate's degree |
| Dental assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Massage therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Vet assistant | $38,150 | High school diploma |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary certificate |
| Home health aide | $35,800 | High school diploma |
Questions about sterile processing technician pay
How much does a sterile processing technician make an hour?
The median is $22.93 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $17.50 and the top 10% over $33.63.
How much does a sterile processing technician make a month?
About $3,975 a month before taxes at the median salary of $47,700, or $1,835 every two weeks.
What state pays sterile processing technicians the most?
California, with a median of $61,370. Washington ($58,830), Massachusetts ($58,580), New York ($57,320) and Delaware ($53,300) follow.
Where do sterile processing technicians make the most after cost of living?
California: its median of $61,370 is worth $55,428 at typical US prices. Massachusetts, Washington and Delaware come next.
How much do entry-level sterile processing technicians make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of sterile processing technicians earn under $36,410 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $39,800, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a sterile processing technician?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a high school diploma or equivalent. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 31-9093 (Medical Equipment Preparers). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.