Sterile Processing Tech Salary

North Platte vs Omaha: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between North Platte, NE and Omaha, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Platte, NE
$38,981
$18.74/hr
Omaha, NE
$39,450
$18.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Platte, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$38,981$39,450
Hourly Rate$18.74$18.97
Entry Level (P10)$32,581$37,759
25th Percentile$34,043$38,300
75th Percentile$46,692$48,855
Top Earner (P90)$53,926$56,098
Total Employed4320
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Platte ($38,981) and Omaha ($39,450) sterile processing technician salaries.North PlatteOmahaMedian Salary$38,981$39,450Entry Level (P10)$32,581$37,759Top Earner (P90)$53,926$56,098US Median $47,724

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Platte.

The salary gap between North Platte and Omaha is $469 (1.20%). Omaha's median is -17.34% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Platte spans $21,345,Omaha spans $18,339. North Platte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Platte
P10 (Entry)$32,581
P25$34,043
Median$38,981
P75$46,692
P90 (Top)$53,926
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$37,759
P25$38,300
Median$39,450
P75$48,855
P90 (Top)$56,098

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($42,922 effective) pays 0.75% more than North Platte ($42,602 effective).

North Platte
Nominal: $38,981
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $42,602
Omaha
Nominal: $39,450
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $42,922

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Platte if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,450/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,098)
  • Larger job market (320 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,922)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in North Platte grew 4.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.2% growth in Omaha over the same period.

North Platte, NE

+4.7%

$35,736 (2024) → $37,403 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+12.2%

$33,750 (2019) → $37,853 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: North Platte or Omaha?

Omaha has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $39,450/year, compared to North Platte at $38,981/year — a difference of $469 (1.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Platte and Omaha?

North Platte sterile processing technicians earn $18.74/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $18.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Platte to Omaha as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Platte and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Platte = $42,602, Omaha = $42,922), job availability (4 vs 320 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in North Platte vs Omaha?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $32,581 in North Platte and $37,759 in Omaha. The Omaha area offers higher starting salaries.
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