Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Montebello, CA: $60,209 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Montebello, CA earns a median $60,209/year (≈ $28.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Montebello's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the California state average.

$60,209
Median Annual Salary
$28.94/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,851
Entry Level (P10)
$90,003
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Montebello, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Montebello, CA sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Sterile processing technicians in Montebello, California, can expect a remarkably competitive median annual salary of $60,209 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724. This role is especially lucrative due to the growing emphasis on specialties such as endoscope reprocessing (CER), which not only enhances job prospects but also contributes to salary increases across the board. Local salary ranges from $43,851 at the 10th percentile to as much as $90,003 at the 90th percentile reflect the opportunities available for techs in this market. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that professionals in this arena are well-compensated for their essential work, underscoring the strong demand in Montebello's healthcare sector.

About the Montebello Market

Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,851$21.08
Lower Range (P25)$51,818$24.91
Median (P50)(typical)$60,209$28.94
Upper Range (P75)$75,221$36.16
Top Earners (P90)$90,003$43.27

Median Salary Position

$43,851$90,003
City Median: $60,209
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

26.16% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montebello

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Montebello. The median salary is $60,209, compared to the national median of $47,724.$39.5K$53.2K$67.0K$80.7K$94.5K$43.9K10th Pctl$51.8K25th Pctl$60.2KMedian$75.2K75th Pctl$90.0K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Montebello, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,152 (2026 est.). At $60,209, the local median is 26.16% above the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Montebello metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,158
per week
$5,017
per month
$60,199
per year

At 40 hours/week in Montebello: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Montebello Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Montebello median: $60,209/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMontebello Pays
California Average$60,756-0.90% less
National Average$47,724+26.16% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Montebello ($60,209) with California average ($60,756) and the US national median ($47,724).Montebello$60,209California Avg$60,756-0.90%US National$47,724+26.16%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Montebello, CA earn a median of $60,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.16% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.90% below the California state average of $60,756.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,209
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$53,235
Adjusted Salary

Montebello has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $60,209. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $53,235, a loss of $6,974.$40.6K$47.7K$54.9K$62.1K$69.2K$60,209NominalSalary$53,235CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $47.7K

Montebello, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,209 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,235 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$45,345

2025 BLS Actual

$57,771

2026 Current Est.

$60,209

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Montebello (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Montebello. Baseline $45,345 in 2025, projected to $62,750 by 2027.$40.5K$49.0K$57.4K$65.9K$74.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.3K$47.0K$46.3K$50.2K$54.8K$69.5K$57.8K$60.2K$62.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$45,345Actual
2020$46,992Actual
2021$46,289Actual
2022$50,238Actual
2023$54,840Actual
2024$69,479Actual
2025$57,771Actual
2026(current)$60,209Estimated
2027$62,750Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montebello metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,345 (2019) to $57,771 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,750 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,405 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montebello metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$43,851$51,818
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,818$60,209
5+ years (Experienced)$60,209$75,221
10+ years (Top Earner)$75,221$90,003

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 Montebello

In Montebello, the employment scene for sterile processing technicians is solid yet niche, with approximately 16 individuals currently filling these roles. The local cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, which suggests that while salaries are higher, everyday expenses also take a significant share of income, impacting overall purchasing power. Facilities such as local hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices frequently offer the highest pay as they often seek techs with credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER to meet evolving industry standards following 2021's credentialing shift. Factors such as shift differentials, lead positions, and specialty skills can widen the salary gap, providing avenues for increased earnings. To maximize pay, technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment in trauma centers or institutions with high evening and overnight surgical tray turnover. This proactive strategy can bolster career advancement while capitalizing on Montebello's unique market dynamics.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Montebello, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Montebello is $60,209/year ($28.94/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,851 at entry level (10th percentile) to $90,003 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Montebello at 26.2% above the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Montebello, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Montebello sterile processing technician salaries are 26.2% above the national average and 0.9% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 16 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Montebello?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Montebello is $60,209, and the 90th percentile earns $90,003. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Montebello?

After adjusting for Montebello's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,209 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $53,235 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Montebello reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Montebello?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Montebello earn a median hourly rate of $28.94, which translates to approximately $60,209/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.08 for entry-level positions to $43.27 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in California

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 $57,771 for sterile processing techniciansin the Montebello 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 Montebello is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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