Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Indianapolis vs New Albany: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Indianapolis, IN and New Albany, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$46,304
$22.26/hr
New Albany, IN
$43,519
$20.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INNew Albany, IN
Median Salary$46,304$43,519
Hourly Rate$22.26$20.93
Entry Level (P10)$37,549$34,364
25th Percentile$40,131$36,760
75th Percentile$49,365$53,256
Top Earner (P90)$61,321$62,624
Total Employed7709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($46,304) and New Albany ($43,519) sterile processing technician salaries.IndianapolisNew AlbanyMedian Salary$46,304$43,519Entry Level (P10)$37,549$34,364Top Earner (P90)$61,321$62,624US Median $47,724

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New Albany.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and New Albany is $2,785 (6.40%). Indianapolis's median is -2.98% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $23,772,New Albany spans $28,260. New Albany has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$37,549
P25$40,131
Median$46,304
P75$49,365
P90 (Top)$61,321
New Albany
P10 (Entry)$34,364
P25$36,760
Median$43,519
P75$53,256
P90 (Top)$62,624

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($48,387 effective) pays 1.51% more than New Albany ($47,666 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $46,304
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $48,387
New Albany
Nominal: $43,519
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $47,666

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,304/year)
  • Larger job market (770 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,387)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Albany if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,624)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Indianapolis grew 19.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.8% growth in New Albany over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+19.3%

$37,240 (2019) → $44,429 (2025)

New Albany, IN

+12.8%

$37,016 (2024) → $41,757 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Indianapolis or New Albany?

Indianapolis has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,304/year, compared to New Albany at $43,519/year — a difference of $2,785 (6.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and New Albany?

Indianapolis sterile processing technicians earn $22.26/hr while New Albany hygienists earn $20.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to New Albany as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and New Albany. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $48,387, New Albany = $47,666), job availability (770 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Indianapolis vs New Albany?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $37,549 in Indianapolis and $34,364 in New Albany. The Indianapolis 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