Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Antioch vs Los Angeles: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Antioch, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Antioch, CA
$60,021
$28.86/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$59,550
$28.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAntioch, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$60,021$59,550
Hourly Rate$28.86$28.63
Entry Level (P10)$45,350$43,703
25th Percentile$49,516$46,904
75th Percentile$75,442$68,115
Top Earner (P90)$90,793$75,839
Total Employed173,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Antioch ($60,021) and Los Angeles ($59,550) sterile processing technician salaries.AntiochLos AngelesMedian Salary$60,021$59,550Entry Level (P10)$45,350$43,703Top Earner (P90)$90,793$75,839US Median $47,724

Verdict

Antioch, CA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Los Angeles.

The salary gap between Antioch and Los Angeles is $471 (0.79%). Antioch's median is +25.77% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Antioch spans $45,443,Los Angeles spans $32,136. Antioch has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Antioch
P10 (Entry)$45,350
P25$49,516
Median$60,021
P75$75,442
P90 (Top)$90,793
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$43,703
P25$46,904
Median$59,550
P75$68,115
P90 (Top)$75,839

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Antioch ($53,069 effective) pays 1.21% more than Los Angeles ($52,436 effective).

Antioch
Nominal: $60,021
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $53,069
Los Angeles
Nominal: $59,550
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $52,436

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Antioch if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,021/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,793)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,069)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,010 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Antioch grew -16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Antioch, CA

+-16.9%

$69,262 (2024) → $57,591 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+21.1%

$47,190 (2019) → $57,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Antioch or Los Angeles?

Antioch has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $60,021/year, compared to Los Angeles at $59,550/year — a difference of $471 (0.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Antioch and Los Angeles?

Antioch sterile processing technicians earn $28.86/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $28.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Antioch to Los Angeles as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Antioch and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Antioch = $53,069, Los Angeles = $52,436), job availability (17 vs 3,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Antioch vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $45,350 in Antioch and $43,703 in Los Angeles. The Antioch 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