Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fresno, CA: $48,085 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fresno, CA earns a median $48,085/year (≈ $23.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $47,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fresno, California, the evolving job requirements for sterile processing technicians have led to a notable salary outlook for the profession. With a 2026 median annual salary projected at $48,085, this marks a slight increase compared to other regions, surpassing the national median of $47,724 by 0.76%. Technicians in this field can expect to earn within a salary range from $35,379 at the lower end (P10) to $70,716 at the high end (P90). This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, reflects a labor market increasingly oriented towards credential-required hiring post-2021. As hospitals and surgical centers adapt to these shifts, the demand for well-trained technicians remains robust, suggesting a competitive environment for prospective candidates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,379 | $17.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,481 | $19.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,085 | $23.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,111 | $28.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,716 | $34.00 |
Median Salary Position
0.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,337 (2026 est.). At $48,085, the local median is 0.76% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fresno Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fresno median: $48,085/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,790 | -20.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +0.76% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fresno, CA earn a median of $48,085 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.76% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 20.90% below the California state average of $60,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,085 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,069 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,020
2025 BLS Actual
$46,138
2026 Current Est.
$48,085
2019–2027 Growth
+-13.6%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,020 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,138 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,085 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew -20.5% from $58,020 (2019) to $46,138 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,906 (-13.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $35,379 – $40,481 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,481 – $48,085 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,085 – $60,111 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,111 – $70,716 |
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 Fresno
With about 330 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Fresno, the local job market demonstrates a steady demand for skilled professionals. However, the cost of living in the area, with an index of 102.158, presents challenges for take-home purchasing power. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers often offer the most competitive salaries, influenced by additional factors like shift differentials and specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The variation in pay often stems from the nature of the facility—hospitals generally pay higher than ASCs, particularly in trauma centers where the demand for quick and efficient reprocessing is critical. To maximize earning potential in Fresno's market, technicians should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions that offer evening or overnight hours, which often come with higher pay rates.
More salary data for Fresno, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Fresno?
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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 $46,138 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fresno 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, 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