Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Sacramento, CA: $79,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Sacramento, CA earns a median $79,530/year (≈ $38.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $74,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.9% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average annual compensation for a sterile processing technician in Sacramento, California is projected to be $79,530, significantly higher than the national median salary of $47,724. This figure reflects a trend in the local job market that has evolved since the post-2021 hiring shift towards credential-required positions, which has been embraced by hospital systems in the area. Sacramento’s sterile processing technician salaries range from $48,675 at the 10th percentile to $85,483 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a robust variation based on experience, credentials, and employer type. These figures stem from official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projecting a continued demand in this essential healthcare supporting role that is critical to surgical operations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,675 | $23.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,124 | $32.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,530 | $38.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,733 | $40.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,483 | $41.10 |
Median Salary Position
66.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,808 (2026 est.). At $79,530, the local median is 66.65% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Sacramento Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $79,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,757 | +30.90% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +66.65% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $79,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 66.65% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 30.90% above the California state average of $60,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,530 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,557 — a 6.25% 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
$61,280
2025 BLS Actual
$76,310
2026 Current Est.
$79,530
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 24.5% from $61,280 (2019) to $76,310 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,606 (35.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $48,675 – $67,124 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,124 – $79,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,530 – $84,733 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,733 – $85,483 |
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 Sacramento
With approximately 680 sterile processing technicians employed across Sacramento, the local job market remains competitive. The cost-of-living index in the city stands at 106.67, indicating that while salaries are above the national average, the purchasing power may be somewhat tempered by higher living expenses. Among the leading employers, hospitals generally offer the highest pay levels, particularly for technicians who hold multiple credentials such as CRCST, CIS, or CER. The pay disparity within the field can be attributed to various factors, including shift differentials for evening or overnight hours, specialized surgical procedures, and roles in trauma centers, which often require additional skills and responsibilities. For those looking to optimize their earnings within Sacramento’s market, pursuing credential stacking and seeking opportunities in larger hospitals or specialty centers are practical strategies.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Is Sacramento, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Sacramento?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Sacramento?
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 $76,310 for sterile processing techniciansin the Sacramento 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