Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Hawthorne, CA: $60,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Hawthorne, CA earns a median $60,041/year (≈ $28.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Hawthorne's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,087 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Hawthorne, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $60,041 in 2026, reflecting a notable 25.81% above the national median for this role. The salary range in this area varies significantly, with starting salaries at $43,460 (P10) and peak earnings reaching up to $85,603 (P90). These projected figures are informed by 2025 BLS data, tailored by regional cost-of-living adjustments specific to Hawthorne. As the city supports a growing surgical environment, heightened demand for technicians translates into competitive compensation, particularly for those working evening and overnight shifts where surgical tray turnover is critical.
About the Hawthorne Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,460 | $20.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,472 | $24.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,041 | $28.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,521 | $34.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,603 | $41.16 |
Median Salary Position
25.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hawthorne
In Hawthorne, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,143 (2026 est.). At $60,041, the local median is 25.81% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hawthorne: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hawthorne Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Hawthorne median: $60,041/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hawthorne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,770 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +25.81% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Hawthorne, CA earn a median of $60,041 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.81% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.20% below the California state average of $60,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hawthorne has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hawthorne, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,041 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,087 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,218
2025 BLS Actual
$57,610
2026 Current Est.
$60,041
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Hawthorne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,218 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,861 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,687 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,575 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawthorne metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,218 (2019) to $57,610 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,575 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,357 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawthorne 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) | $43,460 – $51,472 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,472 – $60,041 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,041 – $72,521 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,521 – $85,603 |
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 Hawthorne
The local job market for sterile processing technicians in Hawthorne consists of 13 professionals, indicating a niche yet essential workforce given the region's healthcare demands. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, salaries must effectively accommodate higher living expenses, impacting purchasing power for technicians. Employers with the highest compensation often include hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, where shift differentials and additional credentials like CRCST or CER may elevate pay. Furthermore, positions that offer supervisory or lead responsibilities could significantly enhance earnings. To maximize one’s salary potential in Hawthorne, pursuing credential stacking, including CIS and other specialty certifications, will be advantageous, given the increasing trend toward credential-required hiring in the field.
More salary data for Hawthorne, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Hawthorne, CA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Hawthorne?
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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 $57,610 for sterile processing techniciansin the Hawthorne 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 Hawthorne 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