Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Ogden vs Salt Lake City: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Ogden, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ogden, UT
$48,635
$23.39/hr
Salt Lake City, UT
$44,750
$21.51/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOgden, UTSalt Lake City, UT
Median Salary$48,635$44,750
Hourly Rate$23.39$21.51
Entry Level (P10)$25,753$34,407
25th Percentile$38,089$37,335
75th Percentile$58,269$56,637
Top Earner (P90)$75,478$68,525
Total Employed9042
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ogden ($48,635) and Salt Lake City ($44,750) sterile processing technician salaries.OgdenSalt Lake CityMedian Salary$48,635$44,750Entry Level (P10)$25,753$34,407Top Earner (P90)$75,478$68,525US Median $47,724

Verdict

Ogden, UT offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salt Lake City.

The salary gap between Ogden and Salt Lake City is $3,885 (8.68%). Ogden's median is +1.91% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ogden spans $49,725,Salt Lake City spans $34,118. Ogden has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ogden
P10 (Entry)$25,753
P25$38,089
Median$48,635
P75$58,269
P90 (Top)$75,478
Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$34,407
P25$37,335
Median$44,750
P75$56,637
P90 (Top)$68,525

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ogden ($48,466 effective) pays 6.25% more than Salt Lake City ($45,617 effective).

Ogden
Nominal: $48,635
CoL Index: 100.349
Adjusted: $48,466
Salt Lake City
Nominal: $44,750
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $45,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ogden if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,635/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,478)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,466)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Ogden grew 49.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.3% growth in Salt Lake City over the same period.

Ogden, UT

+49.4%

$31,240 (2019) → $46,666 (2025)

Salt Lake City, UT

+13.3%

$37,910 (2019) → $42,938 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Ogden or Salt Lake City?

Ogden has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $48,635/year, compared to Salt Lake City at $44,750/year — a difference of $3,885 (8.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ogden and Salt Lake City?

Ogden sterile processing technicians earn $23.39/hr while Salt Lake City hygienists earn $21.51/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ogden to Salt Lake City as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ogden and Salt Lake City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ogden = $48,466, Salt Lake City = $45,617), job availability (90 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Ogden vs Salt Lake City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $25,753 in Ogden and $34,407 in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City 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