Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fontana, CA: $63,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fontana, CA earns a median $63,193/year (≈ $30.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fontana, California, the projected 2026 median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is $63,193, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a local pay premium of 32.41%. Salaries in this profession range from $44,619 at the 10th percentile to $95,928 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of compensation for those in the field. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, hinting at the strength of the job market in Fontana. Given the increasing demand for skilled technicians in specialized areas such as endoscope reprocessing (CER), there are promising opportunities for professionals looking to advance their careers or enhance their pay through additional certifications.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,619 | $21.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,027 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,193 | $30.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,139 | $38.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,928 | $46.12 |
Median Salary Position
32.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,309 (2026 est.). At $63,193, the local median is 32.41% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fontana Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fontana median: $63,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,762 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +32.41% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fontana, CA earn a median of $63,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.41% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 4.00% above the California state average of $60,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,193 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,592
2025 BLS Actual
$60,634
2026 Current Est.
$63,193
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,321 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,727 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,558 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,922 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,634 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,859 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $47,592 (2019) to $60,634 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,267 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $44,619 – $50,027 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,027 – $63,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,193 – $79,139 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,139 – $95,928 |
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 Fontana
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Fontana is solid, with currently 32 individuals employed in this vital healthcare role. However, the cost of living in the area is above the national average, as indicated by a Cost of Living Index of 113.1, which impacts overall take-home purchasing power. Local employers include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, with pay tending to be highest in hospitals and trauma centers due to added responsibilities and higher complexity in procedures. Factors contributing to the variation in salaries include shifts in work hours, additional certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, and potential supervisor roles that command premium pay. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in this competitive Fontana market, pursuing advanced certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand facilities can be key strategies for increasing their earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Fontana, CA:
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 $60,634 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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