Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Anderson vs Indianapolis: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Anderson, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, IN
$44,066
$21.19/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$46,304
$22.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$44,066$46,304
Hourly Rate$21.19$22.26
Entry Level (P10)$34,666$37,549
25th Percentile$37,210$40,131
75th Percentile$55,303$49,365
Top Earner (P90)$66,289$61,321
Total Employed11770
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($44,066) and Indianapolis ($46,304) sterile processing technician salaries.AndersonIndianapolisMedian Salary$44,066$46,304Entry Level (P10)$34,666$37,549Top Earner (P90)$66,289$61,321US Median $47,724

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Anderson.

The salary gap between Anderson and Indianapolis is $2,238 (5.08%). Indianapolis's median is -2.98% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $31,623,Indianapolis spans $23,772. Anderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$34,666
P25$37,210
Median$44,066
P75$55,303
P90 (Top)$66,289
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$37,549
P25$40,131
Median$46,304
P75$49,365
P90 (Top)$61,321

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($48,387 effective) pays 0.25% more than Anderson ($48,265 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $44,066
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $48,265
Indianapolis
Nominal: $46,304
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $48,387

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,289)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,304/year)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,387)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Anderson grew 12.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.3% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Anderson, IN

+12.8%

$37,481 (2024) → $42,282 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+19.3%

$37,240 (2019) → $44,429 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Anderson or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,304/year, compared to Anderson at $44,066/year — a difference of $2,238 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and Indianapolis?

Anderson sterile processing technicians earn $21.19/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $22.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to Indianapolis as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $48,265, Indianapolis = $48,387), job availability (11 vs 770 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Anderson vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $34,666 in Anderson and $37,549 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, CCSVP

Career Analyst

Amina has 8 years of experience in sterile processing. She specialized in instrument sterilization techniques in a large hospital. Amina analyzes career trends for sterile processing technicians.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.22% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov