Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Bremerton vs Seattle: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Bremerton, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bremerton, WA
$46,764
$22.48/hr
Seattle, WA
$61,901
$29.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBremerton, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$46,764$61,901
Hourly Rate$22.48$29.77
Entry Level (P10)$37,680$47,204
25th Percentile$37,709$52,397
75th Percentile$59,941$73,958
Top Earner (P90)$64,303$81,281
Total Employed40910
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bremerton ($46,764) and Seattle ($61,901) sterile processing technician salaries.BremertonSeattleMedian Salary$46,764$61,901Entry Level (P10)$37,680$47,204Top Earner (P90)$64,303$81,281US Median $47,724

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bremerton.

The salary gap between Bremerton and Seattle is $15,137 (32.37%). Seattle's median is +29.71% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bremerton spans $26,623,Seattle spans $34,077. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Bremerton
P10 (Entry)$37,680
P25$37,709
Median$46,764
P75$59,941
P90 (Top)$64,303
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$47,204
P25$52,397
Median$61,901
P75$73,958
P90 (Top)$81,281

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($55,700 effective) pays 25.79% more than Bremerton ($44,281 effective).

Bremerton
Nominal: $46,764
CoL Index: 105.607
Adjusted: $44,281
Seattle
Nominal: $61,901
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $55,700

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bremerton if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,281)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,700)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Bremerton grew 47.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.8% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Bremerton, WA

+47.7%

$30,380 (2019) → $44,870 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+41.8%

$41,880 (2019) → $59,395 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Bremerton or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $61,901/year, compared to Bremerton at $46,764/year — a difference of $15,137 (32.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bremerton and Seattle?

Bremerton sterile processing technicians earn $22.48/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $29.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bremerton to Seattle as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bremerton and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bremerton = $44,281, Seattle = $55,700), job availability (40 vs 910 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Bremerton vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $37,680 in Bremerton and $47,204 in Seattle. The Seattle 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