Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Austintown vs Cleveland: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Austintown, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austintown, OH
$42,883
$20.61/hr
Cleveland, OH
$45,323
$21.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustintown, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$42,883$45,323
Hourly Rate$20.61$21.79
Entry Level (P10)$33,969$38,130
25th Percentile$36,303$39,040
75th Percentile$51,631$48,244
Top Earner (P90)$60,318$58,640
Total Employed7680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austintown ($42,883) and Cleveland ($45,323) sterile processing technician salaries.AustintownClevelandMedian Salary$42,883$45,323Entry Level (P10)$33,969$38,130Top Earner (P90)$60,318$58,640US Median $47,724

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Austintown.

The salary gap between Austintown and Cleveland is $2,440 (5.69%). Cleveland's median is -5.03% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austintown spans $26,349,Cleveland spans $20,510. Austintown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austintown
P10 (Entry)$33,969
P25$36,303
Median$42,883
P75$51,631
P90 (Top)$60,318
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,130
P25$39,040
Median$45,323
P75$48,244
P90 (Top)$58,640

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,255 effective) pays 2.06% more than Austintown ($47,280 effective).

Austintown
Nominal: $42,883
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,280
Cleveland
Nominal: $45,323
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,255

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austintown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,318)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,323/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,255)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Austintown grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 19.4% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Austintown, OH

+13.8%

$36,155 (2024) → $41,147 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+19.4%

$36,430 (2019) → $43,488 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Austintown or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,323/year, compared to Austintown at $42,883/year — a difference of $2,440 (5.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austintown and Cleveland?

Austintown sterile processing technicians earn $20.61/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $21.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austintown to Cleveland as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austintown and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austintown = $47,280, Cleveland = $48,255), job availability (7 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Austintown vs Cleveland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $33,969 in Austintown and $38,130 in Cleveland. The Cleveland 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