Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Redwood City, CA: $59,440 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Redwood City, CA earns a median $59,440/year (≈ $28.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Redwood City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $52,555 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Redwood City is $59,440, substantially above the national median of $47,724. This indicates a robust compensation structure influenced by factors such as shift differentials, where late-night and overnight shifts for surgical tray turnover often result in higher wages. Technicians in this area can expect salaries ranging from $46,768 at the lower end (P10) to $87,143 at the upper tier (P90), reflecting significant variations based on experience, skills, and specific roles within the sterile processing department. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjustments for regional price parities, highlighting a competitive labor market for sterile processing roles in this part of California.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,768 | $22.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,942 | $23.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,440 | $28.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,370 | $35.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,143 | $41.90 |
Median Salary Position
24.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redwood City
In Redwood City, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,375 (2026 est.). At $59,440, the local median is 24.55% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Redwood City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redwood City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Redwood City median: $59,440/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redwood City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,777 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +24.55% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Redwood City, CA earn a median of $59,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.55% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.20% below the California state average of $60,777.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redwood City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redwood City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,440 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,555 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,766
2025 BLS Actual
$57,033
2026 Current Est.
$59,440
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,766 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,392 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,698 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,440 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redwood City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $44,766 (2019) to $57,033 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,182 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redwood City 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) | $46,768 – $48,942 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,942 – $59,440 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,440 – $73,370 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,370 – $87,143 |
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 Redwood City
Redwood City hosts a small yet dedicated workforce of 13 sterile processing technicians, underlining the demand for skilled professionals in the field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the financial landscape suggests that while salaries are higher, so too are living expenses, impacting overall purchasing power. Major employers, including hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, often offer competitive pay, particularly for those with advanced credentials like CRCST or CIS certifications. Factors contributing to pay disparities include opportunities for shift differentials, the specialty of work, experience level, and whether one is employed in a hospital or an ambulatory surgical center. For technicians aiming to optimize their salaries, pursuing further certifications and seeking roles in hospitals rather than outpatient settings can be advantageous strategies in the Redwood City, CA market.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Redwood City, CA in 2026?
Is Redwood City, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Redwood City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Redwood City?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Redwood City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $57,033 for sterile processing techniciansin the Redwood City 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 Redwood City 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