Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $59,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $59,550/year (≈ $28.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $52,436 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary for a sterile processing technician in Los Angeles is projected to reach a median of $59,550, significantly above the national figure of $47,724. The pay range is broad, spanning from $43,703 at the 10th percentile to as high as $75,839 for those at the 90th percentile. These insights stem from comprehensive surveys by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reflecting the city's competitive environment driven by various factors such as shift differentials due to evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers. For technicians looking to maximize their earning potential, understanding the dynamics specific to Los Angeles is crucial, especially as local demand continues to grow amidst increasing credential requirements in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,703 | $21.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,904 | $22.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,550 | $28.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,115 | $32.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,839 | $36.46 |
Median Salary Position
24.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,136 (2026 est.). At $59,550, the local median is 24.78% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $59,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,766 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +24.78% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $59,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.78% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.00% below the California state average of $60,766.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,550 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,436 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,190
2025 BLS Actual
$57,139
2026 Current Est.
$59,550
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,139 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 21.1% from $47,190 (2019) to $57,139 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,873 (31.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $43,703 – $46,904 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,904 – $59,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,550 – $68,115 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,115 – $75,839 |
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 Los Angeles
Los Angeles employs around 3,010 sterile processing technicians, demonstrating a robust local job market for this occupation. However, the cost of living index, which stands at 113.566, suggests that while salaries may appear advantageous, purchasing power could be impacted. The highest paying employers tend to be hospital sterile processing departments, trauma centers, and large specialty surgery centers, where night shifts and advanced credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER can lead to higher pay scales. The substantial wage variation is influenced by factors such as the type of healthcare setting, supervisory responsibilities, and accreditation levels required by the specific jobs. For those interested in maximizing their pay in Los Angeles, focusing on obtaining additional certifications and seeking positions that involve overnight shifts can significantly enhance their salary trajectory.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Los Angeles?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Los Angeles?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Los Angeles?
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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 $57,139 for sterile processing techniciansin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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