Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Irvine, CA: $63,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Irvine, CA earns a median $63,123/year (≈ $30.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,812 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average sterile processing technician salary in Irvine, California is projected to be $63,123 annually, which is significantly higher than the national median of $47,724. This positions the local salary well above the national average, reflecting the area's competitive job market. The anticipated salary range varies widely, from $47,239 at the 10th percentile to $97,551 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust spectrum of pay based on experience, credentials, and facility type. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, emphasize that specialized skills like endoscope reprocessing can command higher wages. In Irvine, technicians with diverse credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER stand to benefit greatly, as the demand for skilled professionals continues to grow.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,239 | $22.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,165 | $25.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,123 | $30.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,798 | $38.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,551 | $46.90 |
Median Salary Position
32.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,312 (2026 est.). At $63,123, the local median is 32.27% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Irvine median: $63,123/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,754 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +32.27% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Irvine, CA earn a median of $63,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.27% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 3.90% above the California state average of $60,754.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,123 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,812 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,539
2025 BLS Actual
$60,567
2026 Current Est.
$63,123
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,539 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,669 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,494 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,842 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,567 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,787 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $47,539 (2019) to $60,567 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,248 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $47,239 – $52,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,165 – $63,123 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,123 – $80,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,798 – $97,551 |
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 Irvine
Analyzing the local job market, there are approximately 72 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Irvine. The cost of living index for the area stands at 113.1, which means that while salaries are robust, purchasing power may be impacted by housing costs and other living expenses. Top employers, including hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, often offer the highest wages. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the types of shifts—such as evening and overnight—that may attract differentials, as well as advanced credential stacking and leadership responsibilities. For those looking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Irvine, pursuing additional certifications, particularly in high-demand areas like endoscope reprocessing, can enhance job prospects and earning potential. With the continuing shift in the industry toward credential-required hiring practices, positioning oneself with multiple credentials and seeking out trauma center designations can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Irvine, 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 $60,567 for sterile processing techniciansin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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