Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $36,829 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $36,829/year (≈ $17.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $40,315 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $36,829 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $31,886 at the 10th percentile to $54,428 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied responsibilities and skill levels within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the strong demand for specialized skills such as endoscope reprocessing (CER), which has become increasingly valuable due to its role in infection control. As the healthcare landscape evolves, Fayetteville’s job market for sterile processing technicians continues to provide opportunities, making it important for professionals in this sector to stay informed about industry shifts and the significance of credentials like CRCST and CIS.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,886 | $15.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,388 | $17.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,829 | $17.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,924 | $22.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,428 | $26.16 |
Median Salary Position
22.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,542 (2026 est.). At $36,829, the local median is 22.83% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fayetteville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $36,829/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $39,815 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -22.83% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $36,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.83% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.50% below the Arkansas state average of $39,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $36,829 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,315 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,710
2025 BLS Actual
$35,338
2026 Current Est.
$36,829
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,338 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,829 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,383 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 18.9% from $29,710 (2019) to $35,338 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,383 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,673 (29.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $31,886 – $36,388 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,388 – $36,829 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,829 – $46,924 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,924 – $54,428 |
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 Fayetteville
With approximately 90 sterile processing technicians employed in Fayetteville, the local job market is showing stable growth, with an annual growth rate of 4.22%. The cost of living index in the area sits at 91.353, indicating a lower purchasing power in comparison to the national average, which may influence take-home salaries. Notable employers include local hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, which tend to offer the higher pay rates. The gap in pay can largely be attributed to factors such as shift differentials, especially for evening and overnight shifts, the accumulation of specialty credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the varying demands of trauma center environments versus ambulatory surgery centers. For those looking to maximize their salary in Fayetteville, pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles with hospitals that have a greater emphasis on surgical tray turnover can lead to improved compensation opportunities.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
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 $35,338 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fayetteville 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, 6-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