Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Columbus vs Mason: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$45,843
$22.04/hr
Mason, OH
$43,160
$20.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHMason, OH
Median Salary$45,843$43,160
Hourly Rate$22.04$20.75
Entry Level (P10)$37,139$34,639
25th Percentile$38,500$36,869
75th Percentile$49,205$52,285
Top Earner (P90)$58,330$61,236
Total Employed5507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($45,843) and Mason ($43,160) sterile processing technician salaries.ColumbusMasonMedian Salary$45,843$43,160Entry Level (P10)$37,139$34,639Top Earner (P90)$58,330$61,236US Median $47,724

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Mason is $2,683 (6.22%). Columbus's median is -3.94% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $21,191,Mason spans $26,597. Mason has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$37,139
P25$38,500
Median$45,843
P75$49,205
P90 (Top)$58,330
Mason
P10 (Entry)$34,639
P25$36,869
Median$43,160
P75$52,285
P90 (Top)$61,236

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($48,019 effective) pays 0.91% more than Mason ($47,585 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $45,843
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $48,019
Mason
Nominal: $43,160
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,585

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,843/year)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,019)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Mason if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($61,236)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Columbus grew 18.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Mason over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+18.1%

$37,250 (2019) → $43,987 (2025)

Mason, OH

+13.8%

$36,388 (2024) → $41,412 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Columbus or Mason?

Columbus has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,843/year, compared to Mason at $43,160/year — a difference of $2,683 (6.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Mason?

Columbus sterile processing technicians earn $22.04/hr while Mason hygienists earn $20.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Mason as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Mason. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $48,019, Mason = $47,585), job availability (550 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Columbus vs Mason?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $37,139 in Columbus and $34,639 in Mason. The Columbus 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