Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Riverside, CA: $59,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Riverside, CA earns a median $59,591/year (≈ $28.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Riverside's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 106.4), that paycheck buys what $55,984 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Riverside, California, the average salary for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $59,591 in 2026. This compensation is significantly above the national median of $47,724, indicating that Riverside's market offers a premium for specialized roles within this field, particularly in endoscope reprocessing (CER). The salary spectrum for technicians ranges widely from $44,913 at the lower end to an impressive $92,097 for those at the top tier. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys reveals that this wage reflects the increasing demand for qualified individuals adept in sterile processing, especially as facilities seek to mitigate risks associated with infection control through skilled staff.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,913 | $21.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,715 | $23.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,591 | $28.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,276 | $34.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,097 | $44.28 |
Median Salary Position
24.87% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Riverside
In Riverside, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,184 (2026 est.). At $59,591, the local median is 24.87% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Riverside: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Riverside Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Riverside median: $59,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Riverside Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,745 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +24.87% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Riverside, CA earn a median of $59,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.87% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.90% below the California state average of $60,745.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Riverside has a cost of living 6.44% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Riverside, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.442 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,591 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,984 — a 6.05% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,320
2025 BLS Actual
$57,178
2026 Current Est.
$59,591
2019–2027 Growth
+31.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Riverside (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,180 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,178 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,106 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Riverside metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 20.8% from $47,320 (2019) to $57,178 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,106 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,786 (31.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Riverside 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) | $44,913 – $49,715 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,715 – $59,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,591 – $71,276 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,276 – $92,097 |
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 Riverside
Considering the local economic landscape, Riverside employs around 800 sterile processing technicians, underscoring the robust job market for this profession. The cost of living index in the area stands at 106.442, suggesting that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be moderated by local expenses. Within the region, employers such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized dental practices typically offer the highest pay. Factors influencing salary variation include shift differentials for evening and weekend work, specialized certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as roles with elevated responsibilities such as supervisory positions. For technicians aiming to maximize their earning potential, pursuing additional credentials and seeking employment in high-demand settings like trauma centers can be effective strategies in Riverside's competitive market.
More salary data for Riverside, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Riverside?
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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 $57,178 for sterile processing techniciansin the Riverside 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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