Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $40,359 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $40,359/year (≈ $19.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $46,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician in Jonesboro, Arkansas, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $40,359, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,724. The pay scale ranges from $30,887 at the P10 level to $59,634 at the P90 level, indicating a diverse compensation landscape based on experience and specific job roles. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, reflect a market where evening and overnight shifts, especially those involved in surgical tray turnover, could drive earnings higher. This creates opportunities for technicians willing to work flexible hours, a necessity in a region where the demand for sterile processing is consistent, particularly in regional healthcare facilities.
About the Jonesboro Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,887 | $14.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,433 | $16.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,359 | $19.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,004 | $24.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,634 | $28.67 |
Median Salary Position
15.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,747 (2026 est.). At $40,359, the local median is 15.43% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jonesboro Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $40,359/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $39,802 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -15.43% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $40,359 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.43% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.40% above the Arkansas state average of $39,802.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,359 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,395
2025 BLS Actual
$38,725
2026 Current Est.
$40,359
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,395 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,029 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,675 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,951 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,359 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,062 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,395 (2019) to $38,725 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,062 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,667 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $30,887 – $33,433 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,433 – $40,359 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,359 – $50,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,004 – $59,634 |
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 Jonesboro
At present, there are 21 sterile processing technicians employed in Jonesboro, AR, and the local cost-of-living index stands at 86.9, significantly below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the purchasing power of the salary earned in the area. The best salaries are typically found in major hospital sterile processing departments, which tend to offer higher wages compared to ambulatory surgery and specialty surgical centers. Factors such as evening shift differentials, the accumulation of multiple credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as advancement into supervisory roles, contribute to the pay variance seen in the market. For those in Jonesboro looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications and targeting positions in trauma center facilities are key strategies, especially given the increasing credentialing requirements in the industry since 2021.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Jonesboro?
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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 $38,725 for sterile processing techniciansin the Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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