Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Rancho Cordova, CA: $60,267 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Rancho Cordova, CA earns a median $60,267/year (≈ $28.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Rancho Cordova's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,286 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.

$60,267
Median Annual Salary
$28.97/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,986
Entry Level (P10)
$90,052
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Rancho Cordova, California, can expect a median annual salary of $60,267, notably higher than the national median of $47,724, which represents a 26.28% increase. Salaries in this field reflect a broad range, from the lower 10% earning around $43,986 to the upper 90% making approximately $90,052. These figures are drawn from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional cost adjustments. With the growing emphasis on specialized areas like endoscope reprocessing (CER), which can command premium pay, there is substantial potential for increased earnings as the job market in Rancho Cordova continues to expand.

About the Rancho Cordova Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,986$21.15
Lower Range (P25)$51,938$24.97
Median (P50)(typical)$60,267$28.97
Upper Range (P75)$73,159$35.17
Top Earners (P90)$90,052$43.29

Median Salary Position

$43,986$90,052
City Median: $60,267
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

26.28% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cordova

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Rancho Cordova. The median salary is $60,267, compared to the national median of $47,724.$39.6K$53.3K$67.1K$80.8K$94.6K$44.0K10th Pctl$51.9K25th Pctl$60.3KMedian$73.2K75th Pctl$90.1K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Rancho Cordova, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,066 (2026 est.). At $60,267, the local median is 26.28% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,159
per week
$5,022
per month
$60,264
per year

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

How Rancho Cordova Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Rancho Cordova median: $60,267/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryRancho Cordova Pays
California Average$60,753-0.80% less
National Average$47,724+26.28% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Rancho Cordova ($60,267) with California average ($60,753) and the US national median ($47,724).Rancho Cordova$60,267California Avg$60,753-0.80%US National$47,724+26.28%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $60,267 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.28% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.80% below the California state average of $60,753.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,267
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$53,286
Adjusted Salary

Rancho Cordova 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 $60,267. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $53,286, a loss of $6,981.$40.6K$47.8K$54.9K$62.1K$69.3K$60,267NominalSalary$53,286CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $47.7K

Rancho Cordova, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,267 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,286 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$45,389

2025 BLS Actual

$57,827

2026 Current Est.

$60,267

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rancho Cordova (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 Rancho Cordova. Baseline $45,389 in 2025, projected to $62,811 by 2027.$40.6K$49.0K$57.5K$65.9K$74.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.4K$47.0K$46.3K$50.3K$54.9K$69.5K$57.8K$60.3K$62.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$45,389Actual
2020$47,037Actual
2021$46,334Actual
2022$50,286Actual
2023$54,893Actual
2024$69,546Actual
2025$57,827Actual
2026(current)$60,267Estimated
2027$62,811Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cordova metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,389 (2019) to $57,827 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,422 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cordova 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)$43,986$51,938
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,938$60,267
5+ years (Experienced)$60,267$73,159
10+ years (Top Earner)$73,159$90,052

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 Rancho Cordova

Currently, there are about 20 sterile processing technicians employed in Rancho Cordova, highlighting a focused yet potentially lucrative job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that take-home purchasing power may be challenged despite the robust salary figures. Employers across the spectrum, including hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, can vary significantly in pay. Those holding multiple credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER may find opportunities within specialty practices offering higher compensation. Factors influencing pay include shift differentials, with evening and overnight shifts often providing extra financial incentives, as well as the nature of the facility, with hospitals typically offering higher wages than ambulatory surgery centers. To maximize earnings in this market, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking roles at trauma centers or in supervisory positions can provide beneficial salary increases.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Rancho Cordova is $60,267/year ($28.97/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,986 at entry level (10th percentile) to $90,052 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Rancho Cordova at 26.3% 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 Rancho Cordova, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Rancho Cordova sterile processing technician salaries are 26.3% above the national average and 0.8% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 20 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 Rancho Cordova?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Rancho Cordova is $60,267, and the 90th percentile earns $90,052. 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 Rancho Cordova?

After adjusting for Rancho Cordova's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,267 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $53,286 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Rancho Cordova earn a median hourly rate of $28.97, which translates to approximately $60,267/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.15 for entry-level positions to $43.29 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 $57,827 for sterile processing techniciansin the Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova 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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