Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Arkansas: $41,192 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $41,192/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,402 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($43,795), North Little Rock ($43,149), Conway ($42,865).
The average median salary for sterile processing technicians in Arkansas is projected to be $41,192 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a gap of 13.7%. Within the state, Little Rock offers the highest salaries at $45,643, while Fayetteville presents the lowest at $36,829. This $8,814 salary difference is primarily driven by variations in the cost of living, healthcare facility density, and local demand for sterile processing services. In Arkansas, technicians must adhere to specific state licensing requirements, and ongoing education is essential to maintain certification. The scope of practice laws do influence job responsibilities, and these regulations can also affect salary potential. As the demand for sterile processing technicians is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.22%, driven by the expanding healthcare sector, job opportunities in this field remain promising. The total number of employed sterile processing technicians in the state is currently 403, illustrating a solid job market. Key cities projected for growth include North Little Rock at $44,970, Conway at $44,674, and Jonesboro at $40,359. Overall, while salaries in Arkansas may fall below national averages, the growth potential in the field could present opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential.
Arkansas Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $28,129 (lowest entry-level) to $67,461 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas sterile processing technicians earn 13.69% less than the national median ($-6,532/year difference).
Arkansas Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Arkansas range from $32,584 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $53,484 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,192. The Arkansas median is $6,532 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $19.80/hr. Approximately 403 sterile processing technicians are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,076
2025 BLS Actual
$39,524
2026 Current Est.
$41,192
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,076 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,452 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,486 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,746 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,192 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 23.2% from $32,076 (2019) to $39,524 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,854 (33.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $36,829 |
| Van Buren | $36,955 |
| Springdale | $37,406 |
| Rogers | $37,432 |
| Bryant | $37,620 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock | $44,970 | 86.9 | $51,749 |
| Conway | $44,674 | 86.9 | $51,409 |
| Little Rock | $45,643 | 89.364 | $51,075 |
| Jonesboro | $40,359 | 86.9 | $46,443 |
| Fort Smith | $40,297 | 86.9 | $46,372 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $32,584 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,192 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $53,484 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $45,643 |
| 2 | North Little Rock | $44,970 |
| 3 | Conway | $44,674 |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $40,359 |
| 5 | Fort Smith | $40,297 |
| 6 | Jacksonville | $39,525 |
| 7 | Bentonville | $39,332 |
| 8 | Benton | $39,003 |
| 9 | Hot Springs | $38,966 |
| 10 | Paragould | $38,892 |
| 11 | Pine Bluff | $38,862 |
| 12 | Sherwood | $38,682 |
| 13 | Russellville | $38,478 |
| 14 | Cabot | $38,305 |
| 15 | Texarkana | $38,296 |
| 16 | Searcy | $37,905 |
| 17 | Bryant | $37,620 |
| 18 | Rogers | $37,432 |
| 19 | Springdale | $37,406 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $36,955 |
| 21 | Fayetteville | $36,829 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Arkansas?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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