Sterile Processing Tech Salary

New Bedford vs Springfield: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between New Bedford, MA and Springfield, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Bedford, MA
$50,081
$24.07/hr
Springfield, MA
$46,474
$22.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Bedford, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$50,081$46,474
Hourly Rate$24.07$22.34
Entry Level (P10)$39,423$40,290
25th Percentile$42,477$40,290
75th Percentile$61,058$51,466
Top Earner (P90)$72,773$64,203
Total Employed24190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Bedford ($50,081) and Springfield ($46,474) sterile processing technician salaries.New BedfordSpringfieldMedian Salary$50,081$46,474Entry Level (P10)$39,423$40,290Top Earner (P90)$72,773$64,203US Median $47,724

Verdict

New Bedford, MA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Springfield.

The salary gap between New Bedford and Springfield is $3,607 (7.76%). New Bedford's median is +4.94% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Bedford spans $33,350,Springfield spans $23,913. New Bedford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Bedford
P10 (Entry)$39,423
P25$42,477
Median$50,081
P75$61,058
P90 (Top)$72,773
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$40,290
P25$40,290
Median$46,474
P75$51,466
P90 (Top)$64,203

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($48,380 effective) pays 4.81% more than New Bedford ($46,158 effective).

New Bedford
Nominal: $50,081
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,158
Springfield
Nominal: $46,474
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $48,380

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Bedford if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,081/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,773)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,380)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in New Bedford grew -0.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 7.0% growth in Springfield over the same period.

New Bedford, MA

+-0.3%

$48,190 (2021) → $48,053 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+7.0%

$41,680 (2019) → $44,592 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: New Bedford or Springfield?

New Bedford has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $50,081/year, compared to Springfield at $46,474/year — a difference of $3,607 (7.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Bedford and Springfield?

New Bedford sterile processing technicians earn $24.07/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $22.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Bedford to Springfield as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Bedford and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Bedford = $46,158, Springfield = $48,380), job availability (24 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in New Bedford vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $39,423 in New Bedford and $40,290 in Springfield. The Springfield 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