Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Rancho Cucamonga, CA: $61,597 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earns a median $61,597/year (≈ $29.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Rancho Cucamonga's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,462 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, can expect a median salary of $61,597, significantly higher than the national average of $47,724, reflecting a 29.07% advantage. This lucrative field offers a salary range from $44,191 at the 10th percentile to $90,121 for those at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for growth within the profession. Local estimates of these figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, indicate a strong demand for skilled technicians. The growing emphasis on specialized areas, particularly endoscope reprocessing (CER), further enhances earning potential, indicating a competitive job market in Rancho Cucamonga as facility standards continue to evolve and raise bar for technical competency.
About the Rancho Cucamonga Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,191 | $21.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,696 | $25.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,597 | $29.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,607 | $36.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,121 | $43.32 |
Median Salary Position
29.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cucamonga
In Rancho Cucamonga, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,930 (2026 est.). At $61,597, the local median is 29.07% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cucamonga: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cucamonga Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Rancho Cucamonga median: $61,597/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cucamonga Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,747 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +29.07% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Rancho Cucamonga, CA earn a median of $61,597 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.07% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.40% above the California state average of $60,747.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cucamonga has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cucamonga, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,597 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,462 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,390
2025 BLS Actual
$59,103
2026 Current Est.
$61,597
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rancho Cucamonga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,075 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,357 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,396 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,081 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,103 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,597 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cucamonga metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $46,390 (2019) to $59,103 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,807 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cucamonga 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) | $44,191 – $52,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,696 – $61,597 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,597 – $75,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,607 – $90,121 |
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 Cucamonga
With 46 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Rancho Cucamonga, the job market appears solid, albeit with a cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while the pay is competitive, purchasing power may be impacted by higher living expenses. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers typically offer the best pay, with those holding multiple credentials—like CRCST, CIS, and especially CER—commanding higher salaries. The variance in pay across the field can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight hours, growth associated with larger institutions, and the demand for supervisory roles. For those seeking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Rancho Cucamonga, pursuing additional certifications, and seeking employment in high-volume or trauma centers can be strategic moves that directly affect earning potential.
More salary data for Rancho Cucamonga, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Rancho Cucamonga, CA in 2026?
Is Rancho Cucamonga, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Rancho Cucamonga?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Rancho Cucamonga?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Rancho Cucamonga?
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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 $59,103 for sterile processing techniciansin the Rancho Cucamonga 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 Cucamonga 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