Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Goodyear vs Lake Havasu City: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Goodyear, AZ and Lake Havasu City, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Goodyear, AZ
$44,962
$21.62/hr
Lake Havasu City, AZ
$44,782
$21.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGoodyear, AZLake Havasu City, AZ
Median Salary$44,962$44,782
Hourly Rate$21.62$21.53
Entry Level (P10)$32,959$32,724
25th Percentile$36,296$38,623
75th Percentile$54,756$56,098
Top Earner (P90)$67,708$66,964
Total Employed1513
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Goodyear ($44,962) and Lake Havasu City ($44,782) sterile processing technician salaries.GoodyearLake Havasu CityMedian Salary$44,962$44,782Entry Level (P10)$32,959$32,724Top Earner (P90)$67,708$66,964US Median $47,724

Verdict

Goodyear, AZ offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lake Havasu City.

The salary gap between Goodyear and Lake Havasu City is $180 (0.40%). Goodyear's median is -5.79% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Goodyear spans $34,749,Lake Havasu City spans $34,240. Goodyear has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Goodyear
P10 (Entry)$32,959
P25$36,296
Median$44,962
P75$54,756
P90 (Top)$67,708
Lake Havasu City
P10 (Entry)$32,724
P25$38,623
Median$44,782
P75$56,098
P90 (Top)$66,964

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Goodyear ($45,647 effective) pays 0.40% more than Lake Havasu City ($45,464 effective).

Goodyear
Nominal: $44,962
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $45,647
Lake Havasu City
Nominal: $44,782
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $45,464

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Goodyear if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,962/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,708)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,647)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Lake Havasu City if…

  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Goodyear, AZ

+-0.1%

$43,179 (2024) → $43,141 (2025)

Lake Havasu City, AZ

+-0.1%

$43,008 (2024) → $42,969 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Goodyear or Lake Havasu City?

Goodyear has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $44,962/year, compared to Lake Havasu City at $44,782/year — a difference of $180 (0.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Goodyear and Lake Havasu City?

Goodyear sterile processing technicians earn $21.62/hr while Lake Havasu City hygienists earn $21.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Goodyear to Lake Havasu City as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Goodyear and Lake Havasu City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Goodyear = $45,647, Lake Havasu City = $45,464), job availability (15 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Goodyear vs Lake Havasu City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $32,959 in Goodyear and $32,724 in Lake Havasu City. The Goodyear 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