Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Bennington vs Essex Junction: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Bennington, VT and Essex Junction, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$45,439
$21.84/hr
Essex Junction, VT
$44,829
$21.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTEssex Junction, VT
Median Salary$45,439$44,829
Hourly Rate$21.84$21.55
Entry Level (P10)$36,642$35,107
25th Percentile$38,567$39,052
75th Percentile$54,341$54,555
Top Earner (P90)$62,722$63,403
Total Employed66
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($45,439) and Essex Junction ($44,829) sterile processing technician salaries.BenningtonEssex JunctionMedian Salary$45,439$44,829Entry Level (P10)$36,642$35,107Top Earner (P90)$62,722$63,403US Median $47,724

Verdict

Bennington, VT offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 2 out of 4 metrics compared to Essex Junction.

The salary gap between Bennington and Essex Junction is $610 (1.36%). Bennington's median is -4.79% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $26,080,Essex Junction spans $28,296. Essex Junction has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$36,642
P25$38,567
Median$45,439
P75$54,341
P90 (Top)$62,722
Essex Junction
P10 (Entry)$35,107
P25$39,052
Median$44,829
P75$54,555
P90 (Top)$63,403

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bennington ($43,902 effective) pays 1.36% more than Essex Junction ($43,313 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $45,439
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $43,902
Essex Junction
Nominal: $44,829
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $43,313

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,439/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,902)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Essex Junction if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,403)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Bennington grew -4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -4.4% growth in Essex Junction over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+-4.4%

$45,622 (2024) → $43,599 (2025)

Essex Junction, VT

+-4.4%

$45,009 (2024) → $43,014 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Bennington or Essex Junction?

Bennington has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,439/year, compared to Essex Junction at $44,829/year — a difference of $610 (1.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and Essex Junction?

Bennington sterile processing technicians earn $21.84/hr while Essex Junction hygienists earn $21.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to Essex Junction as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and Essex Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $43,902, Essex Junction = $43,313), job availability (6 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Bennington vs Essex Junction?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $36,642 in Bennington and $35,107 in Essex Junction. The Bennington area offers higher starting salaries.
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