Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Boise City vs Idaho Falls: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Boise City, ID and Idaho Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$46,474
$22.34/hr
Idaho Falls, ID
$51,757
$24.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDIdaho Falls, ID
Median Salary$46,474$51,757
Hourly Rate$22.34$24.89
Entry Level (P10)$38,659$36,149
25th Percentile$39,720$45,123
75th Percentile$58,290$59,300
Top Earner (P90)$59,491$98,831
Total Employed26080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($46,474) and Idaho Falls ($51,757) sterile processing technician salaries.Boise CityIdaho FallsMedian Salary$46,474$51,757Entry Level (P10)$38,659$36,149Top Earner (P90)$59,491$98,831US Median $47,724

Verdict

Idaho Falls, ID offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Boise City.

The salary gap between Boise City and Idaho Falls is $5,283 (11.37%). Idaho Falls's median is +8.45% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $20,832,Idaho Falls spans $62,682. Idaho Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$38,659
P25$39,720
Median$46,474
P75$58,290
P90 (Top)$59,491
Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$36,149
P25$45,123
Median$51,757
P75$59,300
P90 (Top)$98,831

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Idaho Falls ($54,820 effective) pays 16.06% more than Boise City ($47,234 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $46,474
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $47,234
Idaho Falls
Nominal: $51,757
CoL Index: 94.412
Adjusted: $54,820

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,757/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,831)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,820)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Boise City grew 48.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 69.1% growth in Idaho Falls over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+48.9%

$29,940 (2019) → $44,592 (2025)

Idaho Falls, ID

+69.1%

$29,370 (2019) → $49,661 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Boise City or Idaho Falls?

Idaho Falls has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $51,757/year, compared to Boise City at $46,474/year — a difference of $5,283 (11.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Idaho Falls?

Boise City sterile processing technicians earn $22.34/hr while Idaho Falls hygienists earn $24.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Idaho Falls as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Idaho Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $47,234, Idaho Falls = $54,820), job availability (260 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Boise City vs Idaho Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $38,659 in Boise City and $36,149 in Idaho Falls. The Boise City 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