Sterile Processing Technician Salary in San Diego, CA: $67,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in San Diego, CA earns a median $67,865/year (≈ $32.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $60,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician in San Diego, CA, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $67,865, which signifies a substantial 42.20% increase compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this role spans from $49,186 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $79,580 at the high end (90th percentile). These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, reflect the growing demand in the field, particularly in specialized areas like endoscope reprocessing (CER). San Diego's unique position within the healthcare landscape, driven by a population that values quality medical services, reinforces the premium placed on technicians who hold certifications and are skilled in specialty reprocessing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,186 | $23.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,861 | $28.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,865 | $32.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,450 | $37.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,580 | $38.26 |
Median Salary Position
42.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,394 (2026 est.). At $67,865, the local median is 42.2% above the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be above the median
How San Diego Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
San Diego median: $67,865/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,756 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +42.20% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in San Diego, CA earn a median of $67,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.20% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 11.70% above the California state average of $60,756.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,865 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,655 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,940
2025 BLS Actual
$65,117
2026 Current Est.
$67,865
2019–2027 Growth
+38.8%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,117 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,729 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.8% from $50,940 (2019) to $65,117 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,729 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,789 (38.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $49,186 – $59,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,861 – $67,865 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,865 – $77,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,450 – $79,580 |
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 San Diego
With approximately 630 sterile processing technicians employed in the San Diego area, the job market is promising, though the cost of living might impact earnings. A cost-of-living index of 111.887 indicates that expenses are higher than the national average, which could affect take-home pay. Hospitals generally offer the highest salaries, especially those with trauma center designations, while ambulatory surgery centers and specialty practices may provide competitive pay as well. Pay disparities are often influenced by factors such as shift differentials for evenings or overnights, and additional credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER can enhance a technician's value. For technicians looking to maximize earnings in San Diego, focusing on obtaining these certifications and seeking positions in high-demand settings could yield greater financial rewards.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in San Diego?
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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 $65,117 for sterile processing techniciansin the San Diego 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