Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Homewood, AL: $34,641 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Homewood, AL earns a median $34,641/year (≈ $16.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Homewood's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $39,410 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Alabama state average.

$34,641
Median Annual Salary
$16.65/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$28,555
Entry Level (P10)
$49,815
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Homewood, AL — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Homewood, AL sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the estimated salary for sterile processing technicians in Homewood, Alabama, stands at $34,641 annually, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $47,724. The local salary range spans from $28,555 at the lower end (P10) to $49,815 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from state-level estimates and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the dynamics of the local healthcare job market. The specialty of endoscope reprocessing (CER) is particularly relevant in this area due to the increased demand for certified professionals capable of handling complex cleaning procedures. As a result, Homewood's sterile processing technician salary may not match national norms, but the potential for growth exists, especially for those who diversify their skills.

About the Homewood Market

Salary estimated from Alabama average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$28,555$13.73
Lower Range (P25)$30,067$14.46
Median (P50)(typical)$34,641$16.65
Upper Range (P75)$42,450$20.41
Top Earners (P90)$49,815$23.95

Median Salary Position

$28,555$49,815
City Median: $34,641
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

27.41% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Homewood

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Homewood. The median salary is $34,641, compared to the national median of $47,724.$25.7K$32.4K$39.0K$45.7K$52.3K$28.6K10th Pctl$30.1K25th Pctl$34.6KMedian$42.5K75th Pctl$49.8K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Homewood, AL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,260 (2026 est.). At $34,641, the local median is 27.41% below the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Homewood metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$666
per week
$2,887
per month
$34,641
per year

At 40 hours/week in Homewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Homewood Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Homewood median: $34,641/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryHomewood Pays
Alabama Average$35,860-3.40% less
National Average$47,724-27.41% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Homewood ($34,641) with Alabama average ($35,860) and the US national median ($47,724).Homewood$34,641Alabama Avg$35,860-3.40%US National$47,724-27.41%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Homewood, AL earn a median of $34,641 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.41% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $35,860.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$34,641
Nominal Salary
87.9
CoL Index
$39,410
Adjusted Salary

Homewood has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $34,641. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 87.9, the purchasing-power equivalent is $39,410, a gain of $4,769.$29.4K$35.8K$42.2K$48.5K$54.9K$34,641NominalSalary$39,410CoL Adjusted(CoL: 87.9) 13.77%US Median $47.7K

Homewood, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $34,641 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,410 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$26,089

2025 BLS Actual

$33,238

2026 Current Est.

$34,641

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Homewood (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Homewood. Baseline $26,089 in 2025, projected to $36,102 by 2027.$24.1K$27.6K$31.1K$34.6K$38.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$26.1K$27.0K$26.6K$28.9K$31.6K$30.6K$33.2K$34.6K$36.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$26,089Actual
2020$27,036Actual
2021$26,632Actual
2022$28,904Actual
2023$31,552Actual
2024$30,573Actual
2025$33,238Actual
2026(current)$34,641Estimated
2027$36,102Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Homewood metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $26,089 (2019) to $33,238 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,102 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,013 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Homewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$28,555$30,067
3-5 years (Mid Career)$30,067$34,641
5+ years (Experienced)$34,641$42,450
10+ years (Top Earner)$42,450$49,815

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 Homewood

Currently, there are five sterile processing technicians employed in Homewood, indicating a localized yet stable market for this role. The cost of living index for the area sits at 87.9, suggesting that while salaries may appear lower on a national scale, they can afford a commendable quality of life locally. The highest-paying employers tend to be hospital sterile processing departments, large multi-doctor dental practices, and specialty surgical centers that often provide higher compensation for roles involving critical functions like overnight surgical tray turnover or managing complex equipment. Those looking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Homewood, AL, should consider enhancing their credentials with certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. Additional skills in areas of specialty can bridge the salary divide for those seeking advancement in a market influenced by variances in pay scales linked to job duties and institutional types.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Homewood, AL in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Homewood is $34,641/year ($16.65/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $28,555 at entry level (10th percentile) to $49,815 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Homewood at 27.4% below the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Homewood, AL a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Homewood sterile processing technician salaries are 27.4% below the national average and 3.4% below the Alabama state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 87.9, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Homewood?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Homewood is $34,641, and the 90th percentile earns $49,815. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Homewood?

After adjusting for Homewood's cost-of-living index of 87.9 (where 100 equals the national average), the $34,641 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $39,410 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 13.8% further in Homewood compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for sterile processing technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Homewood?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Homewood earn a median hourly rate of $16.65, which translates to approximately $34,641/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $13.73 for entry-level positions to $23.95 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Alabama

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

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 $33,238 for sterile processing techniciansin the Homewood 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

Salary data for Homewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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