Sterile Processing Tech Salary

New York vs Poughkeepsie: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between New York, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$58,900
$28.32/hr
Poughkeepsie, NY
$50,075
$24.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYPoughkeepsie, NY
Median Salary$58,900$50,075
Hourly Rate$28.32$24.07
Entry Level (P10)$41,361$38,590
25th Percentile$49,615$41,595
75th Percentile$62,622$60,597
Top Earner (P90)$72,437$70,937
Total Employed5,2705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($58,900) and Poughkeepsie ($50,075) sterile processing technician salaries.New YorkPoughkeepsieMedian Salary$58,900$50,075Entry Level (P10)$41,361$38,590Top Earner (P90)$72,437$70,937US Median $47,724

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Poughkeepsie.

The salary gap between New York and Poughkeepsie is $8,825 (17.62%). New York's median is +23.42% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $31,076,Poughkeepsie spans $32,347. Poughkeepsie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

New York
P10 (Entry)$41,361
P25$49,615
Median$58,900
P75$62,622
P90 (Top)$72,437
Poughkeepsie
P10 (Entry)$38,590
P25$41,595
Median$50,075
P75$60,597
P90 (Top)$70,937

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($52,326 effective) pays 21.11% more than Poughkeepsie ($43,205 effective).

New York
Nominal: $58,900
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $52,326
Poughkeepsie
Nominal: $50,075
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $43,205

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,900/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,437)
  • Larger job market (5,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,326)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Poughkeepsie if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in New York grew 24.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -15.8% growth in Poughkeepsie over the same period.

New York, NY

+24.2%

$45,500 (2019) → $56,515 (2025)

Poughkeepsie, NY

+-15.8%

$57,077 (2024) → $48,047 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: New York or Poughkeepsie?

New York has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $58,900/year, compared to Poughkeepsie at $50,075/year — a difference of $8,825 (17.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Poughkeepsie?

New York sterile processing technicians earn $28.32/hr while Poughkeepsie hygienists earn $24.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Poughkeepsie as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Poughkeepsie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $52,326, Poughkeepsie = $43,205), job availability (5,270 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in New York vs Poughkeepsie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $41,361 in New York and $38,590 in Poughkeepsie. The New York 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