Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Merced, CA: $51,137 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Merced, CA earns a median $51,137/year (≈ $24.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $52,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Merced, California, can anticipate a median annual salary of $51,137 in 2026, reflecting the competitive nature of this essential specialty within the healthcare sector. The salary range for this role extends from $41,782 at the 10th percentile to $57,840 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diversity of compensation based on experience, credentials, and specific duties. These figures, derived from based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, suggest that Merced's sterile processing technician pay is approximately 7.15% higher than the national median of $47,724. With the increasing focus on endoscope reprocessing and the need for specialized credentials, the local job market is expected to grow, presenting ample opportunities for technicians looking to advance in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,782 | $20.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,573 | $21.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,137 | $24.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,840 | $27.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,840 | $27.82 |
Median Salary Position
7.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,058 (2026 est.). At $51,137, the local median is 7.15% above the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be above the median
How Merced Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Merced median: $51,137/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,732 | -15.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +7.15% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Merced, CA earn a median of $51,137 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.15% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 15.80% below the California state average of $60,732.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $51,137 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,512
2025 BLS Actual
$49,066
2026 Current Est.
$51,137
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,512 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,911 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,315 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,066 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,137 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $38,512 (2019) to $49,066 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,783 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $41,782 – $45,573 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,573 – $51,137 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,137 – $57,840 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,840 – $57,840 |
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 Merced
In Merced, about 40 sterile processing technicians are currently employed, which contributes to a localized job market that is both stable and poised for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 98.275, professionals in this field can enjoy relatively affordable living conditions despite their salaries, enhancing their purchasing power. Among the employers in the area, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest pay, especially those that cater to trauma cases. Various factors influence the salary spectrum, including shift differentials for evening or overnight work, the accumulation of credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, and leadership roles that command higher wages. To maximize their earnings, technicians in Merced should focus on acquiring advanced certifications and consider positions in high-demand environments, such as specialized surgical centers or managing roles within hospital SPDs.
More salary data for Merced, 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 $49,066 for sterile processing techniciansin the Merced 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, 2-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