Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Indianapolis vs Terre Haute: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$46,304
$22.26/hr
Terre Haute, IN
$45,531
$21.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INTerre Haute, IN
Median Salary$46,304$45,531
Hourly Rate$22.26$21.89
Entry Level (P10)$37,549$34,565
25th Percentile$40,131$37,507
75th Percentile$49,365$56,201
Top Earner (P90)$61,321$65,265
Total Employed77013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($46,304) and Terre Haute ($45,531) sterile processing technician salaries.IndianapolisTerre HauteMedian Salary$46,304$45,531Entry Level (P10)$37,549$34,565Top Earner (P90)$61,321$65,265US Median $47,724

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Terre Haute is $773 (1.70%). 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,Terre Haute spans $30,700. Terre Haute 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
Terre Haute
P10 (Entry)$34,565
P25$37,507
Median$45,531
P75$56,201
P90 (Top)$65,265

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Terre Haute ($49,870 effective) pays 3.07% more than Indianapolis ($48,387 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $46,304
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $48,387
Terre Haute
Nominal: $45,531
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $49,870

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)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Terre Haute if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,265)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,870)
  • 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 Terre Haute over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+19.3%

$37,240 (2019) → $44,429 (2025)

Terre Haute, IN

+12.8%

$38,726 (2024) → $43,687 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Indianapolis or Terre Haute?

Indianapolis has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,304/year, compared to Terre Haute at $45,531/year — a difference of $773 (1.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Terre Haute?

Indianapolis sterile processing technicians earn $22.26/hr while Terre Haute hygienists earn $21.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Terre Haute as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $48,387, Terre Haute = $49,870), job availability (770 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Indianapolis vs Terre Haute?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $37,549 in Indianapolis and $34,565 in Terre Haute. 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