Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Arizona: $46,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arizona's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $46,703/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Arizona sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,414 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Chandler ($45,745), Scottsdale ($45,633), Glendale ($45,472).
In Arizona, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is projected at $46,703, slightly below the national median of $47,724, representing a 2.1% difference. Among the state's 33 metro areas, Chandler offers the highest salary at $47,675, while Sedona has the lowest at $42,364, highlighting a gap of $5,311. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities in certain areas. Arizona has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence job opportunities for sterile processing technicians. The increasing demand for qualified technicians is driven by the growth of healthcare facilities and an emphasis on infection control within hospitals and clinics. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%, the job market for sterile processing technicians is expected to expand, underscoring the need for skilled professionals. Top cities for employment include Chandler, Scottsdale at $47,559, Glendale at $47,391, Phoenix at $47,344, and Mesa at $47,115. Overall, the outlook for sterile processing technicians in Arizona remains positive, with steady demand and salaries that reflect local market conditions.
Arizona Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arizona: $31,346 (lowest entry-level) to $72,140 (highest top earner)
Arizona vs National Average
Arizona sterile processing technicians earn 2.14% less than the national median ($-1,021/year difference).
Arizona Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Arizona range from $35,253 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,496 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,703. The Arizona median is $1,021 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $22.45/hr. Approximately 2,724 sterile processing technicians are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,440
2025 BLS Actual
$44,812
2026 Current Est.
$46,703
2019–2027 Growth
+30.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Arizona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,324 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,643 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,812 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,674 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arizona metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 19.7% from $37,440 (2019) to $44,812 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,674 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,234 (30.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arizona 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arizona
Lowest Paying Cities in Arizona
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sedona | $42,364 |
| Nogales | $42,510 |
| Oro Valley | $42,778 |
| Sierra Vista | $43,174 |
| Apache Junction | $43,510 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Arizona
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arizona cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chandler | $47,675 | 98.5 | $48,401 |
| Scottsdale | $47,559 | 98.5 | $48,283 |
| Glendale | $47,391 | 98.5 | $48,113 |
| Mesa | $47,115 | 98.5 | $47,832 |
| Gilbert | $46,272 | 98.5 | $46,977 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arizona
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,253 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,703 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,496 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arizona metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Arizona
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chandler | $47,675 |
| 2 | Scottsdale | $47,559 |
| 3 | Glendale | $47,391 |
| 4 | Phoenix | $47,344 |
| 5 | Mesa | $47,115 |
| 6 | Gilbert | $46,272 |
| 7 | Peoria | $46,122 |
| 8 | Maricopa | $45,744 |
| 9 | Avondale | $45,676 |
| 10 | Marana | $45,505 |
| 11 | Yuma | $45,472 |
| 12 | San Tan Valley | $45,372 |
| 13 | Tempe | $45,319 |
| 14 | Surprise | $45,030 |
| 15 | Goodyear | $44,962 |
| 16 | Lake Havasu City | $44,782 |
| 17 | Queen Creek | $44,772 |
| 18 | Tucson | $44,633 |
| 19 | Buckeye | $44,354 |
| 20 | Flagstaff | $44,057 |
| 21 | Florence | $44,053 |
| 22 | Prescott Valley | $43,973 |
| 23 | Casa Grande | $43,957 |
| 24 | Bullhead City | $43,952 |
| 25 | El Mirage | $43,755 |
| 26 | Prescott | $43,739 |
| 27 | Kingman | $43,646 |
| 28 | Sahuarita | $43,566 |
| 29 | Apache Junction | $43,510 |
| 30 | Sierra Vista | $43,174 |
| 31 | Oro Valley | $42,778 |
| 32 | Nogales | $42,510 |
| 33 | Sedona | $42,364 |
More Arizona Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Arizona cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in Arizona
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Arizona in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Arizona?
How does Arizona sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Arizona?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Arizona?
Which Arizona city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 sterile processing technician compensation across Arizona. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more sterile processing technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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