Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Montgomery, AL: $36,939 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Montgomery, AL earns a median $36,939/year (≈ $17.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Montgomery's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $41,189 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Montgomery, Alabama, the median annual salary for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $36,939 in 2026, which reflects a significant demand for this vital role in healthcare. Those within this profession can expect a salary range from $30,396 at the 10th percentile to $42,842 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse income potential depending on experience and specialization. Notably, the endoscope reprocessing (CER) subspecialty adds value to this field, making skilled technicians more competitive in the job market. The data presented is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating a growing sector in Montgomery and highlighting opportunities for career advancement as employers seek certified professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,396 | $14.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,806 | $15.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,939 | $17.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,620 | $18.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,842 | $20.60 |
Median Salary Position
22.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montgomery
In Montgomery, AL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,446 (2026 est.). At $36,939, the local median is 22.6% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Montgomery: You'd be above the median
How Montgomery Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Montgomery median: $36,939/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montgomery Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,863 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -22.60% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Montgomery, AL earn a median of $36,939 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.60% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.00% above the Alabama state average of $35,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montgomery has a cost of living 10.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montgomery, AL has a cost-of-living index of 89.682 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $36,939 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,189 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,770
2025 BLS Actual
$35,443
2026 Current Est.
$36,939
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Montgomery (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,399 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,443 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,939 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montgomery metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 19.1% from $29,770 (2019) to $35,443 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,728 (29.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montgomery 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) | $30,396 – $31,806 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,806 – $36,939 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,939 – $38,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,620 – $42,842 |
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 Montgomery
Currently, there are 180 sterile processing technicians employed in Montgomery, a sign of a steady local market for this profession. With a cost of living index of 89.682, professionals in this area enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, improving their overall purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized dental practices. The pay gaps often arise from factors such as shift differentials, specialty qualifications (including CRCST, CIS, and CER), and the prestige of the facilities, with trauma centers generally providing higher compensation. For those looking to maximize their pay in Montgomery, obtaining additional certifications and seeking positions in hospitals known for high-volume turnover of surgical instruments can be advantageous as the job landscape evolves towards credentialed professionals.
More salary data for Montgomery, 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 $35,443 for sterile processing techniciansin the Montgomery 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, 5-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