Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Seattle vs Bremerton: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Seattle, WA and Bremerton, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$61,901
$29.77/hr
Bremerton, WA
$46,764
$22.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WABremerton, WA
Median Salary$61,901$46,764
Hourly Rate$29.77$22.48
Entry Level (P10)$47,204$37,680
25th Percentile$52,397$37,709
75th Percentile$73,958$59,941
Top Earner (P90)$81,281$64,303
Total Employed91040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($61,901) and Bremerton ($46,764) sterile processing technician salaries.SeattleBremertonMedian Salary$61,901$46,764Entry Level (P10)$47,204$37,680Top Earner (P90)$81,281$64,303US Median $47,724

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bremerton.

The salary gap between Seattle and Bremerton is $15,137 (32.37%). Seattle's median is +29.71% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $34,077,Bremerton spans $26,623. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$47,204
P25$52,397
Median$61,901
P75$73,958
P90 (Top)$81,281
Bremerton
P10 (Entry)$37,680
P25$37,709
Median$46,764
P75$59,941
P90 (Top)$64,303

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($55,700 effective) pays 25.79% more than Bremerton ($44,281 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $61,901
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $55,700
Bremerton
Nominal: $46,764
CoL Index: 105.607
Adjusted: $44,281

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,281)
  • Larger job market (910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,700)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Bremerton if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Seattle grew 41.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 47.7% growth in Bremerton over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+41.8%

$41,880 (2019) → $59,395 (2025)

Bremerton, WA

+47.7%

$30,380 (2019) → $44,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Seattle or Bremerton?

Seattle has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $61,901/year, compared to Bremerton at $46,764/year — a difference of $15,137 (32.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Bremerton?

Seattle sterile processing technicians earn $29.77/hr while Bremerton hygienists earn $22.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Bremerton as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Bremerton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $55,700, Bremerton = $44,281), job availability (910 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Seattle vs Bremerton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $47,204 in Seattle and $37,680 in Bremerton. The Seattle 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