Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Danville vs Richmond: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Danville, VA
$46,228
$22.23/hr
Richmond, VA
$46,663
$22.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDanville, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$46,228$46,663
Hourly Rate$22.23$22.43
Entry Level (P10)$35,252$34,838
25th Percentile$37,981$40,891
75th Percentile$55,604$48,144
Top Earner (P90)$64,706$58,210
Total Employed7300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Danville ($46,228) and Richmond ($46,663) sterile processing technician salaries.DanvilleRichmondMedian Salary$46,228$46,663Entry Level (P10)$35,252$34,838Top Earner (P90)$64,706$58,210US Median $47,724

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Danville.

The salary gap between Danville and Richmond is $435 (0.94%). Richmond's median is -2.22% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Danville spans $29,454,Richmond spans $23,372. Danville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Danville
P10 (Entry)$35,252
P25$37,981
Median$46,228
P75$55,604
P90 (Top)$64,706
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$34,838
P25$40,891
Median$46,663
P75$48,144
P90 (Top)$58,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($47,684 effective) pays 6.45% more than Danville ($44,795 effective).

Danville
Nominal: $46,228
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $44,795
Richmond
Nominal: $46,663
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $47,684

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Danville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,706)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,663/year)
  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,684)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Danville grew -0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Danville, VA

+-0.1%

$44,396 (2024) → $44,356 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+9.0%

$41,070 (2019) → $44,774 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Danville or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,663/year, compared to Danville at $46,228/year — a difference of $435 (0.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Danville and Richmond?

Danville sterile processing technicians earn $22.23/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $22.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Danville to Richmond as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Danville and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Danville = $44,795, Richmond = $47,684), job availability (7 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Danville vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $35,252 in Danville and $34,838 in Richmond. The Danville 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