Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Glendale, CA: $61,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Glendale, CA earns a median $61,136/year (≈ $29.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Glendale's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Glendale, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $61,136, reflecting a significant upward trend compared to the national average. With salaries ranging from $47,750 at the lower end to an impressive $92,630 for those at the top of the scale, this field presents a lucrative opportunity, particularly for technicians specializing in endoscope reprocessing. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account cost-of-living adjustments, which are particularly relevant in Glendale, where the cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating above-average living expenses. This local salary picture not only highlights competitive compensation but also points toward a robust job market that underscores the growing importance and demand for skilled sterile processing technicians in healthcare settings.
About the Glendale Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,755 | $24.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,136 | $29.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,790 | $36.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,630 | $44.53 |
Median Salary Position
28.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Glendale
In Glendale, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,880 (2026 est.). At $61,136, the local median is 28.1% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Glendale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Glendale Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Glendale median: $61,136/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Glendale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,772 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +28.10% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Glendale, CA earn a median of $61,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.10% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.60% above the California state average of $60,772.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Glendale has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Glendale, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,136 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,055 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,043
2025 BLS Actual
$58,661
2026 Current Est.
$61,136
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Glendale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,043 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,716 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,003 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,012 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,685 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,661 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,716 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Glendale metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $46,043 (2019) to $58,661 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,716 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,673 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Glendale 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) | $47,750 – $51,755 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,755 – $61,136 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,136 – $76,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,790 – $92,630 |
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 Glendale
The local employment market currently comprises 36 sterile processing technicians, contributing to the stability and competitiveness of pay in Glendale. With the cost of living higher than the national average, understanding how this affects take-home pay is essential for job seekers. Facilities such as hospital sterile processing departments typically offer more competitive salaries, particularly for those with advanced certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, reflecting a shift in hiring practices since 2021 toward credential-required positions. Additionally, those who can work evening and overnight shifts may benefit from higher pay due to the pressing demand for surgical tray turnover during off-hours. To maximize earnings, aspiring technicians in Glendale should focus on obtaining multiple certifications and consider job opportunities in specialty surgical centers or trauma-designated hospitals, where elevated compensation is common.
More salary data for Glendale, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Glendale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Glendale?
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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 $58,661 for sterile processing techniciansin the Glendale 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 Glendale 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