Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Long Beach, CA: $59,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Long Beach, CA earns a median $59,748/year (≈ $28.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $52,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is $59,748, significantly above the national average of $47,724. This salary reflects the growing importance of specialization within the field, particularly in areas like endoscope reprocessing (CER), which has seen an increase in demand due to heightened scrutiny around scope-related infections. Salary ranges in the area illustrate the variability depending on experience, with entry-level positions at the $41,669 mark and seasoned professionals reaching up to $92,610 annually. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data projected to 2026, highlight the competitive nature of the sterile processing technician pay in Long Beach CA, as local practitioners benefit from unique market dynamics that drive higher compensation.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,669 | $20.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,356 | $24.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,748 | $28.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,478 | $36.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,610 | $44.52 |
Median Salary Position
25.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,941 (2026 est.). At $59,748, the local median is 25.19% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $59,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,782 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +25.19% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $59,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.19% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.70% below the California state average of $60,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,748 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,828 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,998
2025 BLS Actual
$57,329
2026 Current Est.
$59,748
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,998 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,632 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,935 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $44,998 (2019) to $57,329 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,272 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $41,669 – $50,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,356 – $59,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,748 – $76,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,478 – $92,610 |
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 Long Beach
With 89 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Long Beach, the job market showcases a mix of opportunities. However, the cost-of-living index in the area stands at 113.1, indicating that living expenses are above the national average, which could impact overall purchasing power for those in the profession. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers tend to offer the most competitive wages, in part due to their need for specialized skills. Factors like shift differentials, particularly for evening or overnight work, and the value of multiple credentials (such as CRCST, CIS, and CER) contribute to the wide salary spread observed in the city. To maximize earnings, aspiring technicians in Long Beach should aim to stack credentials where possible and consider roles at trauma centers, which often pay more due to the complexity and urgency of procedures.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $57,329 for sterile processing techniciansin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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