Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Chino Hills, CA: $60,878 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Chino Hills, CA earns a median $60,878/year (≈ $29.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Chino Hills's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.

$60,878
Median Annual Salary
$29.26/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$45,359
Entry Level (P10)
$88,325
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Chino Hills, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Chino Hills, CA sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Chino Hills, CA, the outlook for sterile processing technicians is quite favorable, with a projected median annual salary of $60,878 in 2026. This figure is notably higher than the national median of $47,724, offering a competitive edge for local professionals. Salaries for this occupation range from $45,359 at the lower end to $88,325 for the top earners, highlighting the diverse opportunities available within the field. These estimates derive from the BLS state-level data and consider regional cost adjustments, which are crucial given the city's cost of living index of 113.1. The growing demand for specialized skills, particularly in endoscope reprocessing, reflects an increasing emphasis on infection control and safety, a critical aspect of modern healthcare. As such, Chino Hills presents promising career prospects for sterile processing technicians.

About the Chino Hills Market

Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$45,359$21.80
Lower Range (P25)$49,553$23.82
Median (P50)(typical)$60,878$29.26
Upper Range (P75)$74,590$35.86
Top Earners (P90)$88,325$42.46

Median Salary Position

$45,359$88,325
City Median: $60,878
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

27.56% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino Hills

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Chino Hills. The median salary is $60,878, compared to the national median of $47,724.$40.8K$53.8K$66.8K$79.8K$92.7K$45.4K10th Pctl$49.6K25th Pctl$60.9KMedian$74.6K75th Pctl$88.3K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Chino Hills, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,966 (2026 est.). At $60,878, the local median is 27.56% above the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Chino Hills metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,171
per week
$5,073
per month
$60,871
per year

At 40 hours/week in Chino Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Chino Hills Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Chino Hills median: $60,878/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryChino Hills Pays
California Average$60,757+0.20% more
National Average$47,724+27.56% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Chino Hills ($60,878) with California average ($60,757) and the US national median ($47,724).Chino Hills$60,878California Avg$60,757+0.20%US National$47,724+27.56%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Chino Hills, CA earn a median of $60,878 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.56% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.20% above the California state average of $60,757.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,878
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$53,827
Adjusted Salary

Chino Hills has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,878. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $53,827, a loss of $7,051.$40.6K$47.9K$55.3K$62.6K$70.0K$60,878NominalSalary$53,827CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $47.7K

Chino Hills, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,878 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,827 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$45,849

2025 BLS Actual

$58,413

2026 Current Est.

$60,878

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Chino Hills (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Chino Hills. Baseline $45,849 in 2025, projected to $63,447 by 2027.$41.0K$49.5K$58.0K$66.6K$75.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.8K$47.5K$46.8K$50.8K$55.4K$70.3K$58.4K$60.9K$63.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$45,849Actual
2020$47,514Actual
2021$46,804Actual
2022$50,796Actual
2023$55,449Actual
2024$70,251Actual
2025$58,413Actual
2026(current)$60,878Estimated
2027$63,447Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino Hills metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,849 (2019) to $58,413 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,598 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino Hills metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$45,359$49,553
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,553$60,878
5+ years (Experienced)$60,878$74,590
10+ years (Top Earner)$74,590$88,325

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 Chino Hills

Though there are currently only 21 sterile processing technicians employed in Chino Hills, the job market shows room for growth with an annual growth rate of 4.22%. However, the cost of living in the area does impact take-home pay and purchasing power, requiring technicians to consider compensation relative to living expenses. Employers in this region include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, with hospitals typically offering the highest pay due to the complexity and volume of processes handled. Factors influencing salary variation include shift differentials, additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the supervisory roles available in the field. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, strategies such as acquiring multiple certifications, seeking evening or overnight shifts, and leveraging experience in trauma center environments can lead to more favorable compensation. Understanding local market dynamics is vital for any technician looking to succeed in Chino Hills.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Chino Hills, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Chino Hills is $60,878/year ($29.26/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $45,359 at entry level (10th percentile) to $88,325 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Chino Hills at 27.6% above the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Chino Hills, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Chino Hills sterile processing technician salaries are 27.6% above the national average and 0.2% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Chino Hills?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Chino Hills is $60,878, and the 90th percentile earns $88,325. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Chino Hills?

After adjusting for Chino Hills's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,878 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $53,827 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Chino Hills reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Chino Hills?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Chino Hills earn a median hourly rate of $29.26, which translates to approximately $60,878/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.80 for entry-level positions to $42.46 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 $58,413 for sterile processing techniciansin the Chino Hills 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 Chino Hills is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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