Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lakewood, CA: $59,223 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lakewood, CA earns a median $59,223/year (≈ $28.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $52,363 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the sterile processing technician salary in Lakewood, CA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $59,223, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724. The local salary range spans from $46,316 at the 10th percentile to $86,587 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a competitive market buoyed by recent shifts towards requiring credentials in sterile processing. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels. The California healthcare sector's growing demand for credentialed sterile processing technicians indicates strong job prospects ahead, especially following the credential-oriented hiring practices that gained traction post-2021.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,316 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,508 | $23.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,223 | $28.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,824 | $35.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,587 | $41.63 |
Median Salary Position
24.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,271 (2026 est.). At $59,223, the local median is 24.09% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $59,223/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,742 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +24.09% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $59,223 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.50% below the California state average of $60,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,223 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,363 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,602
2025 BLS Actual
$56,825
2026 Current Est.
$59,223
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,602 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,222 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,531 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,415 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,942 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,341 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,825 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,223 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,722 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $44,602 (2019) to $56,825 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,722 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,120 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $46,316 – $48,508 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,508 – $59,223 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,223 – $72,824 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,824 – $86,587 |
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 Lakewood
The job market in Lakewood features a modest concentration of 19 employed sterile processing technicians, with salaries reflecting the local cost-of-living index of 113.1, which suggests a higher expense for residents compared to the national average. This index impacts purchasing power, making it crucial for technicians to consider employers that often offer the most competitive pay, such as large hospitals with specialized sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgical centers. Various factors influence pay differences, including evening and overnight shift differentials, advanced credential stacking such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as seniority roles like supervisor positions. For those wanting to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Lakewood, pursuing additional credentials, gaining experience in high-demand environments like trauma centers, and considering shifts during evenings or weekends can yield better financial rewards.
More salary data for Lakewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Lakewood?
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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 $56,825 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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