How Much Does a Sterile Processing Technician Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$47,700
Sterile processing technicians in the U.S. earn a median of $47,700 a year, or $22.93 an hour. Half of sterile processing technicians earn more than $47,700 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $69,950.
Pay percentiles for sterile processing technicians
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $17.50 | $36,410 |
| 25th | $19.13 | $39,800 |
| 50th (median) | $22.93 | $47,700 |
| 75th | $28.16 | $58,570 |
| 90th | $33.63 | $69,950 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Medical Equipment Preparers (SOC 31-9093). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for sterile processing technicians
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $61,370 | $29.50 | +29% |
| Washington | $58,830 | $28.28 | +23% |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | $28.16 | +23% |
| New York | $57,320 | $27.56 | +20% |
| Delaware | $53,300 | $25.63 | +12% |
| Hawaii | $51,630 | $24.82 | +8% |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 | $24.74 | +8% |
| New Jersey | $50,280 | $24.18 | +5% |
| Minnesota | $50,070 | $24.07 | +5% |
| Alaska | $49,920 | $24.00 | +5% |
| United States | $47,700 | $22.93 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many sterile processing technicians are there?
BLS counts about 77,420 sterile processing technicians employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Medical Equipment Preparers”. The most jobs are in California (8,720), Florida (5,250) and New York (5,190).
The mean (average) annual wage is $50,510, higher than the median of $47,700.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $3,975
- Biweekly
- $1,835
- Weekly
- $917
- Daily (8 hours)
- $183
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make an hour?
The median hourly wage for sterile processing technicians is $22.93. The middle 50% earn between $19.13 and $28.16 an hour.
Which state pays sterile processing technicians the most?
California has the highest median wage for sterile processing technicians at $61,370, +29% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for sterile processing technicians?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of sterile processing technicians earn less than $36,410 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.