Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Burke vs Roanoke: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Burke, VA and Roanoke, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burke, VA
$46,691
$22.45/hr
Roanoke, VA
$46,877
$22.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurke, VARoanoke, VA
Median Salary$46,691$46,877
Hourly Rate$22.45$22.53
Entry Level (P10)$36,382$35,689
25th Percentile$38,935$38,877
75th Percentile$56,647$58,093
Top Earner (P90)$66,383$69,518
Total Employed1016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burke ($46,691) and Roanoke ($46,877) sterile processing technician salaries.BurkeRoanokeMedian Salary$46,691$46,877Entry Level (P10)$36,382$35,689Top Earner (P90)$66,383$69,518US Median $47,724

Verdict

Roanoke, VA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Burke.

The salary gap between Burke and Roanoke is $186 (0.40%). Roanoke's median is -1.77% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burke spans $30,001,Roanoke spans $33,829. Roanoke has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Burke
P10 (Entry)$36,382
P25$38,935
Median$46,691
P75$56,647
P90 (Top)$66,383
Roanoke
P10 (Entry)$35,689
P25$38,877
Median$46,877
P75$58,093
P90 (Top)$69,518

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roanoke ($45,423 effective) pays 0.40% more than Burke ($45,243 effective).

Burke
Nominal: $46,691
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,243
Roanoke
Nominal: $46,877
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,423

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burke if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Roanoke if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,877/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,518)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,423)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Burke grew -0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Roanoke over the same period.

Burke, VA

+-0.1%

$44,840 (2024) → $44,800 (2025)

Roanoke, VA

+27.6%

$35,240 (2020) → $44,979 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Burke or Roanoke?

Roanoke has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,877/year, compared to Burke at $46,691/year — a difference of $186 (0.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burke and Roanoke?

Burke sterile processing technicians earn $22.45/hr while Roanoke hygienists earn $22.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burke to Roanoke as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burke and Roanoke. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burke = $45,243, Roanoke = $45,423), job availability (10 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Burke vs Roanoke?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $36,382 in Burke and $35,689 in Roanoke. The Burke 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