Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Modesto, CA: $61,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Modesto, CA earns a median $61,625/year (≈ $29.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Modesto's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Modesto, California, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is $61,625 for the year 2026. This figure represents a significant increase over the national median of $47,724, showcasing a notable local advantage of approximately 29.13%. The salary range for this role in Modesto reflects the variation in demand and individual qualifications, spanning from $44,203 at the 10th percentile to $94,626 at the 90th percentile. With credential-required hiring becoming the norm since 2021, the market has adapted to focus on certified professionals, impacting compensation dynamics. These estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, indicating a robust job market for sterile processing technicians in the area.
About the Modesto Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,203 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,270 | $23.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,625 | $29.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,662 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,626 | $45.49 |
Median Salary Position
29.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Modesto
In Modesto, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,423 (2026 est.). At $61,625, the local median is 29.13% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Modesto: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Modesto Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Modesto median: $61,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Modesto Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,774 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +29.13% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Modesto, CA earn a median of $61,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.13% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.40% above the California state average of $60,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Modesto has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Modesto, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,625 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,487 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,300
2025 BLS Actual
$59,130
2026 Current Est.
$61,625
2019–2027 Growth
+10.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Modesto (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Modesto metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 1.4% from $58,300 (2019) to $59,130 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,926 (10.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Modesto 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) | $44,203 – $49,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,270 – $61,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,625 – $77,662 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,662 – $94,626 |
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 Modesto
In Modesto, the employment landscape includes about 45 sterile processing technicians, with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, higher living expenses may affect take-home pay. Local employers such as hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest salaries, followed by specialty surgical centers and dental practices. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include shift differentials for evening and overnight work, the stack of advanced credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the varying settings of employment, such as hospitals versus ambulatory surgery centers. Professionals looking to maximize their earnings can consider accumulating relevant certifications or seeking roles in facilities designated as trauma centers, which often command higher wages due to increased demand and complexity of care.
More salary data for Modesto, 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 $59,130 for sterile processing techniciansin the Modesto 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 Modesto 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