Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Cleveland vs Oxford: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Cleveland, OH and Oxford, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$45,323
$21.79/hr
Oxford, OH
$42,634
$20.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$45,323$42,634
Hourly Rate$21.79$20.50
Entry Level (P10)$38,130$33,201
25th Percentile$39,040$38,002
75th Percentile$48,244$50,246
Top Earner (P90)$58,640$60,043
Total Employed6806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($45,323) and Oxford ($42,634) sterile processing technician salaries.ClevelandOxfordMedian Salary$45,323$42,634Entry Level (P10)$38,130$33,201Top Earner (P90)$58,640$60,043US Median $47,724

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oxford.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Oxford is $2,689 (6.31%). Cleveland's median is -5.03% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $20,510,Oxford spans $26,842. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,130
P25$39,040
Median$45,323
P75$48,244
P90 (Top)$58,640
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$33,201
P25$38,002
Median$42,634
P75$50,246
P90 (Top)$60,043

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,255 effective) pays 2.66% more than Oxford ($47,006 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $45,323
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,255
Oxford
Nominal: $42,634
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,006

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,323/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,255)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,043)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Cleveland grew 19.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.4%

$36,430 (2019) → $43,488 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+13.8%

$35,944 (2024) → $40,908 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Cleveland or Oxford?

Cleveland has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,323/year, compared to Oxford at $42,634/year — a difference of $2,689 (6.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Oxford?

Cleveland sterile processing technicians earn $21.79/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $20.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Oxford as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $48,255, Oxford = $47,006), job availability (680 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Cleveland vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $38,130 in Cleveland and $33,201 in Oxford. The Cleveland 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