Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fullerton, CA: $62,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fullerton, CA earns a median $62,423/year (≈ $30.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Fullerton, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,423, which is significantly higher than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a 30.80% increase. The estimated salary range for this role spans from $45,911 at the 10th percentile to as high as $93,203 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 while considering regional cost adjustments. Fullerton's job market is bolstered by evening and overnight shifts, which lead to higher pay rates, particularly in fast-paced surgical settings where timely turnaround of surgical trays is essential.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,911 | $22.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,689 | $24.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,423 | $30.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,589 | $37.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,203 | $44.80 |
Median Salary Position
30.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,292 (2026 est.). At $62,423, the local median is 30.8% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $62,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,781 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +30.80% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $62,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.80% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.70% above the California state average of $60,781.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,423 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,193 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,012
2025 BLS Actual
$59,895
2026 Current Est.
$62,423
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,012 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,991 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,856 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,033 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,895 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,057 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $47,012 (2019) to $59,895 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,057 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,045 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $45,911 – $50,689 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,689 – $62,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,423 – $77,589 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,589 – $93,203 |
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 Fullerton
With only 25 sterile processing technicians actively employed in Fullerton, the local job market remains highly specialized. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 indicates that living expenses in Fullerton are above the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally offer the highest salaries, followed closely by specialty surgical centers and ambulatory surgery facilities. The variance in technician pay is often influenced by factors such as shift differentials, additional certifications like CRCST or CIS, and supervisory roles. Those looking to maximize their salary should consider pursuing multiple credentials, targeting trauma centers, and opting for evening shifts, as these strategies can align with the demand for skilled technicians in Fullerton's growing medical industry.
More salary data for Fullerton, 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 $59,895 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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