Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Beaumont vs San Francisco: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Beaumont, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Beaumont, CA
$59,050
$28.39/hr
San Francisco, CA
$82,182
$39.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBeaumont, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$59,050$82,182
Hourly Rate$28.39$39.51
Entry Level (P10)$45,667$57,660
25th Percentile$49,454$62,692
75th Percentile$73,699$85,433
Top Earner (P90)$85,994$95,719
Total Employed91,070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Beaumont ($59,050) and San Francisco ($82,182) sterile processing technician salaries.BeaumontSan FranciscoMedian Salary$59,050$82,182Entry Level (P10)$45,667$57,660Top Earner (P90)$85,994$95,719US Median $47,724

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Beaumont.

The salary gap between Beaumont and San Francisco is $23,132 (39.17%). San Francisco's median is +72.20% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Beaumont spans $40,327,San Francisco spans $38,059. Beaumont has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Beaumont
P10 (Entry)$45,667
P25$49,454
Median$59,050
P75$73,699
P90 (Top)$85,994
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$57,660
P25$62,692
Median$82,182
P75$85,433
P90 (Top)$95,719

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($71,084 effective) pays 36.15% more than Beaumont ($52,210 effective).

Beaumont
Nominal: $59,050
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $52,210
San Francisco
Nominal: $82,182
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $71,084

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Beaumont if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,182/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,719)
  • Larger job market (1,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,084)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Beaumont grew -16.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.1% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Beaumont, CA

+-16.9%

$68,141 (2024) → $56,659 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+26.1%

$62,510 (2019) → $78,854 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Beaumont or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $82,182/year, compared to Beaumont at $59,050/year — a difference of $23,132 (39.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Beaumont and San Francisco?

Beaumont sterile processing technicians earn $28.39/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $39.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Beaumont to San Francisco as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Beaumont and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Beaumont = $52,210, San Francisco = $71,084), job availability (9 vs 1,070 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Beaumont vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $45,667 in Beaumont and $57,660 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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