Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Boston vs Brookline: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Boston, MA and Brookline, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$60,871
$29.26/hr
Brookline, MA
$48,214
$23.18/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MABrookline, MA
Median Salary$60,871$48,214
Hourly Rate$29.26$23.18
Entry Level (P10)$47,185$37,343
25th Percentile$50,265$40,273
75th Percentile$64,773$60,069
Top Earner (P90)$77,170$70,037
Total Employed1,31013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($60,871) and Brookline ($48,214) sterile processing technician salaries.BostonBrooklineMedian Salary$60,871$48,214Entry Level (P10)$47,185$37,343Top Earner (P90)$77,170$70,037US Median $47,724

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brookline.

The salary gap between Boston and Brookline is $12,657 (26.25%). Boston's median is +27.55% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $29,985,Brookline spans $32,694. Brookline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$47,185
P25$50,265
Median$60,871
P75$64,773
P90 (Top)$77,170
Brookline
P10 (Entry)$37,343
P25$40,273
Median$48,214
P75$60,069
P90 (Top)$70,037

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($56,224 effective) pays 26.52% more than Brookline ($44,437 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $60,871
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $56,224
Brookline
Nominal: $48,214
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,437

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,871/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,170)
  • Larger job market (1,310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,224)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Brookline if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Boston grew 16.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -18.6% growth in Brookline over the same period.

Boston, MA

+16.3%

$50,220 (2019) → $58,406 (2025)

Brookline, MA

+-18.6%

$56,828 (2024) → $46,262 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Boston or Brookline?

Boston has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $60,871/year, compared to Brookline at $48,214/year — a difference of $12,657 (26.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Brookline?

Boston sterile processing technicians earn $29.26/hr while Brookline hygienists earn $23.18/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Brookline as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Brookline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $56,224, Brookline = $44,437), job availability (1,310 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Boston vs Brookline?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $47,185 in Boston and $37,343 in Brookline. The Boston 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