Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Perris vs Riverside: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Perris, CA and Riverside, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Perris, CA
$59,401
$28.56/hr
Riverside, CA
$59,591
$28.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPerris, CARiverside, CA
Median Salary$59,401$59,591
Hourly Rate$28.56$28.64
Entry Level (P10)$46,495$44,913
25th Percentile$50,165$49,715
75th Percentile$74,554$71,276
Top Earner (P90)$87,200$92,097
Total Employed12800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Perris ($59,401) and Riverside ($59,591) sterile processing technician salaries.PerrisRiversideMedian Salary$59,401$59,591Entry Level (P10)$46,495$44,913Top Earner (P90)$87,200$92,097US Median $47,724

Verdict

Riverside, CA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Perris.

The salary gap between Perris and Riverside is $190 (0.32%). Riverside's median is +24.87% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Perris spans $40,705,Riverside spans $47,184. Riverside has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Perris
P10 (Entry)$46,495
P25$50,165
Median$59,401
P75$74,554
P90 (Top)$87,200
Riverside
P10 (Entry)$44,913
P25$49,715
Median$59,591
P75$71,276
P90 (Top)$92,097

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Riverside ($55,984 effective) pays 6.59% more than Perris ($52,521 effective).

Perris
Nominal: $59,401
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $52,521
Riverside
Nominal: $59,591
CoL Index: 106.442
Adjusted: $55,984

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Perris if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Riverside if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,591/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,097)
  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,984)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Perris grew -16.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.8% growth in Riverside over the same period.

Perris, CA

+-16.8%

$68,546 (2024) → $56,996 (2025)

Riverside, CA

+20.8%

$47,320 (2019) → $57,178 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Perris or Riverside?

Riverside has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $59,591/year, compared to Perris at $59,401/year — a difference of $190 (0.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Perris and Riverside?

Perris sterile processing technicians earn $28.56/hr while Riverside hygienists earn $28.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Perris to Riverside as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Perris and Riverside. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Perris = $52,521, Riverside = $55,984), job availability (12 vs 800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Perris vs Riverside?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $46,495 in Perris and $44,913 in Riverside. The Perris 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