Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Bloomington vs Peoria: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Bloomington, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IL
$41,571
$19.99/hr
Peoria, IL
$45,634
$21.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$41,571$45,634
Hourly Rate$19.99$21.94
Entry Level (P10)$35,148$36,169
25th Percentile$37,129$44,073
75th Percentile$46,463$47,204
Top Earner (P90)$47,635$55,929
Total Employed40130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($41,571) and Peoria ($45,634) sterile processing technician salaries.BloomingtonPeoriaMedian Salary$41,571$45,634Entry Level (P10)$35,148$36,169Top Earner (P90)$47,635$55,929US Median $47,724

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Peoria is $4,063 (9.77%). Peoria's median is -4.38% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $12,487,Peoria spans $19,760. Peoria has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$35,148
P25$37,129
Median$41,571
P75$46,463
P90 (Top)$47,635
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$36,169
P25$44,073
Median$45,634
P75$47,204
P90 (Top)$55,929

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($50,020 effective) pays 12.55% more than Bloomington ($44,443 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $41,571
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $44,443
Peoria
Nominal: $45,634
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $50,020

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,634/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($55,929)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,020)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Bloomington grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.3% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Bloomington, IL

+19.1%

$33,500 (2019) → $39,888 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+48.3%

$29,520 (2019) → $43,786 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Bloomington or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,634/year, compared to Bloomington at $41,571/year — a difference of $4,063 (9.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Peoria?

Bloomington sterile processing technicians earn $19.99/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $21.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Peoria as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $44,443, Peoria = $50,020), job availability (40 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Bloomington vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $35,148 in Bloomington and $36,169 in Peoria. The Peoria 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