Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Pomona, CA: $62,815 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Pomona, CA earns a median $62,815/year (≈ $30.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Pomona's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,539 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the California state average.

$62,815
Median Annual Salary
$30.20/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$46,831
Entry Level (P10)
$92,272
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, those employed as sterile processing technicians in Pomona, CA can expect a median annual salary of $62,815, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724. The local salary range varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $46,831 and experienced technicians earning up to $92,272. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and the numbers reflect adjustments based on regional cost data. The Pomona job market has adapted to the post-2021 shift towards credential-required hiring, making it imperative for technicians to obtain industry-recognized certifications to enhance their employability and earning potential.

About the Pomona Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$46,831$22.51
Lower Range (P25)$51,487$24.75
Median (P50)(typical)$62,815$30.20
Upper Range (P75)$77,176$37.10
Top Earners (P90)$92,272$44.37

Median Salary Position

$46,831$92,272
City Median: $62,815
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

31.62% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pomona

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Pomona. The median salary is $62,815, compared to the national median of $47,724.$42.1K$55.8K$69.5K$83.2K$96.9K$46.8K10th Pctl$51.5K25th Pctl$62.8KMedian$77.2K75th Pctl$92.3K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Pomona, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,441 (2026 est.). At $62,815, the local median is 31.62% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,208
per week
$5,235
per month
$62,822
per year

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

How Pomona Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Pomona median: $62,815/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryPomona Pays
California Average$60,750+3.40% more
National Average$47,724+31.62% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Pomona ($62,815) with California average ($60,750) and the US national median ($47,724).Pomona$62,815California Avg$60,750+3.40%US National$47,724+31.62%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Pomona, CA earn a median of $62,815 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.62% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 3.40% above the California state average of $60,750.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,815
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$55,539
Adjusted Salary

Pomona 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 $62,815. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,539, a loss of $7,276.$40.6K$48.5K$56.4K$64.3K$72.2K$62,815NominalSalary$55,539CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $47.7K

Pomona, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,815 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,539 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$47,308

2025 BLS Actual

$60,272

2026 Current Est.

$62,815

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pomona (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 Pomona. Baseline $47,308 in 2025, projected to $65,466 by 2027.$42.3K$51.1K$59.9K$68.7K$77.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$47.3K$49.0K$48.3K$52.4K$57.2K$72.5K$60.3K$62.8K$65.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$47,308Actual
2020$49,026Actual
2021$48,293Actual
2022$52,413Actual
2023$57,214Actual
2024$72,486Actual
2025$60,272Actual
2026(current)$62,815Estimated
2027$65,466Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pomona metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $47,308 (2019) to $60,272 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,466 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,158 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pomona 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)$46,831$51,487
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,487$62,815
5+ years (Experienced)$62,815$77,176
10+ years (Top Earner)$77,176$92,272

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 Pomona

In Pomona, the employment outlook for sterile processing technicians shows strength, with 36 individuals currently holding positions in this field. However, the local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that daily expenses are slightly above the national average. This reality underscores the importance of salary when evaluating job offers. Among the various employers in the area, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer higher pay compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical practices. Wage disparities often arise from factors like shift differentials, additional certifications such as CRCST + CIS + CER, and the complexity of the work environment. For those aiming to maximize their salaries in Pomona, pursuing advanced credentials, seeking positions in trauma centers or supervisory roles, and considering evening or overnight shifts can substantially boost earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Pomona is $62,815/year ($30.20/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $46,831 at entry level (10th percentile) to $92,272 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Pomona at 31.6% 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 Pomona, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Pomona sterile processing technician salaries are 31.6% above the national average and 3.4% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 36 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 Pomona?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Pomona is $62,815, and the 90th percentile earns $92,272. 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 Pomona?

After adjusting for Pomona's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,815 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,539 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Pomona 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 Pomona?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Pomona earn a median hourly rate of $30.20, which translates to approximately $62,815/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.51 for entry-level positions to $44.37 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

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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 $60,272 for sterile processing techniciansin the Pomona 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 Pomona 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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