Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Dothan, AL: $30,285 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Dothan, AL earns a median $30,285/year (≈ $14.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Dothan's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 83.8), that paycheck buys what $36,125 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the 2026 median salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $30,285, significantly lower than the national median of $47,724. The overall salary range in the area stretches from $23,352 at the 10th percentile to $39,310 at the 90th percentile, indicating that pay can vary widely based on experience, credentials, and employment settings. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights a local job market where the demand for trained professionals is on the rise, particularly in specialized areas like endoscope reprocessing. As the field evolves, certification through HSPA, especially with credentials like CRCST, CIS, and the rapidly growing CER specialty, becomes increasingly important for those seeking to maximize their earning potential in Dothan.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,352 | $11.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23,352 | $11.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $30,285 | $14.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34,738 | $16.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
Median Salary Position
36.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dothan
In Dothan, AL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,958 (2026 est.). At $30,285, the local median is 36.54% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Dothan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dothan Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Dothan median: $30,285/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dothan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,841 | -15.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -36.54% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Dothan, AL earn a median of $30,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.54% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 15.50% below the Alabama state average of $35,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dothan has a cost of living 16.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dothan, AL has a cost-of-living index of 83.833 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $30,285 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $36,125 in an average-cost city — an effective 19.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$22,809
2025 BLS Actual
$29,059
2026 Current Est.
$30,285
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,809 | Actual |
| 2020 | $23,637 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,585 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,059 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30,285 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31,563 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dothan metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $22,809 (2019) to $29,059 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $31,563 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,754 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dothan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.22% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $23,352 – $23,352 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $23,352 – $30,285 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $30,285 – $34,738 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $34,738 – $39,310 |
SPT, CRCST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual sterile processing technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Sterile Processing Technician Job Market in Dothan
The employment landscape in Dothan includes around 90 sterile processing technicians, indicating a stable job market for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 83.833, residents enjoy lower living expenses, which can enhance their purchasing power even on a modest salary. Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers are among the top employers in the region, typically offering better pay compared to specialty practices or third-party service providers. Factors that contribute to the wage disparities include shift differentials for evening and overnight shifts, the complexity of credential stacking, and potential supervisory roles. To maximize earnings in Dothan, technicians should consider obtaining additional credentials and pursuing positions in trauma centers or facilities known for their specialty surgical services, thereby aligning their skills with the evolving needs of the healthcare industry.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $29,059 for sterile processing techniciansin the Dothan metropolitan area. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for sterile processing technicians (SOC 31-9093).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov