Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Ontario, CA: $60,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Ontario, CA earns a median $60,394/year (≈ $29.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,399 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Ontario, California, can expect a median annual salary of $60,394, representing a significant 26.55% increase compared to the national average salary of $47,724. This salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions earning about $44,321 and experienced professionals seeing compensation as high as $89,731. These projections stem from state-level BLS estimates and account for regional price parities. Factors like shift differentials for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover can greatly influence earnings, making those shifts particularly lucrative within the local market. Given the increasing complexity and importance of sterile processing, Ontario's job market is poised for continued growth, with competitive salaries reflective of the demand for skilled technicians.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,321 | $21.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,784 | $23.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,394 | $29.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,804 | $35.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,731 | $43.14 |
Median Salary Position
26.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,410 (2026 est.). At $60,394, the local median is 26.55% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ontario Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Ontario median: $60,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,759 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +26.55% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Ontario, CA earn a median of $60,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.55% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.60% below the California state average of $60,759.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,394 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,399 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,484
2025 BLS Actual
$57,949
2026 Current Est.
$60,394
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,484 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,137 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,432 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,393 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,009 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,943 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,484 (2019) to $57,949 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,459 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $44,321 – $48,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,784 – $60,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,394 – $74,804 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,804 – $89,731 |
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 Ontario
With 42 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Ontario, the local job market presents both opportunities and challenges. The cost of living index in Ontario stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, take-home purchasing power may be impacted due to higher living costs. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices are generally the top payers in this sector. The variance in salary can be attributed to factors including shift differentials, specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the level of responsibility, such as supervisory roles in trauma centers as opposed to outpatient facilities. For technicians aiming to maximize their pay, pursuing continued education and specialty certifications while seeking positions that offer shift differentials can lead to enhanced opportunities and increased earnings in Ontario, CA.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Ontario?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Ontario?
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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 $57,949 for sterile processing techniciansin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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