Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lompoc, CA: $60,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lompoc, CA earns a median $60,134/year (≈ $28.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lompoc's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,169 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Lompoc, California, can expect a median annual income of $60,134, reflecting a substantial 26.00% increase over the national average salary of $47,724 for this occupation. The salary spectrum for these professionals ranges from $47,071 at the 10th percentile to $83,471 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide variance in compensation based on experience, skill set, and work settings. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments suggest that the robust pay in Lompoc can be partly attributed to the demands of evening and overnight surgical tray turnover that necessitate shift differentials. This strong salary positioning highlights the competitive job market for sterile processing technicians in the area, where job opportunities are expected to grow.
About the Lompoc Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,071 | $22.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,303 | $24.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,134 | $28.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,906 | $34.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,471 | $40.14 |
Median Salary Position
26.00% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lompoc
In Lompoc, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,400 (2026 est.). At $60,134, the local median is 26% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lompoc: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lompoc Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lompoc median: $60,134/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lompoc Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,741 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +26.00% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lompoc, CA earn a median of $60,134 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.00% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.00% below the California state average of $60,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lompoc has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lompoc, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,134 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,169 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,288
2025 BLS Actual
$57,699
2026 Current Est.
$60,134
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lompoc (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,288 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,933 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,175 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,772 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,392 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,699 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,672 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lompoc metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,288 (2019) to $57,699 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,672 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,384 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lompoc 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) | $47,071 – $50,303 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,303 – $60,134 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,134 – $71,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,906 – $83,471 |
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 Lompoc
The local employment landscape includes about eight sterile processing technicians, making the field relatively niche within Lompoc. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that residents face elevated living expenses compared to the national average, which can affect take-home pay considerably. Among the region's employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally offer higher pay compared to ambulatory surgery centers and dental specialty practices. The variation in earnings is often driven by factors such as shift differentials for night and weekend shifts, specialty credentials (like the CRCST + CIS + CER combination), and whether a facility is a trauma center. For those looking to maximize their income in Lompoc, pursuing multiple certifications and seeking positions in high-demand specialties could significantly enhance earning potential in this expanding field.
More salary data for Lompoc, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Lompoc, CA in 2026?
Is Lompoc, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Lompoc?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Lompoc?
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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 $57,699 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lompoc 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 Lompoc 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