Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $61,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $61,011/year (≈ $29.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $56,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the sterile processing technician salary in Santa Rosa is projected to reach a median annual pay of $61,011, which is notably 27.84% higher than the national median. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, with the lowest earners making approximately $41,421 while the highest can earn around $83,703. This variance is partially driven by the demands of evening and overnight shifts that are crucial for surgical tray turnover, allowing technicians to earn higher rates through shift differentials. These salary figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the competitive nature of this field as employers seek qualified individuals in a market where the volume of surgical procedures continues to rise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,421 | $19.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,833 | $21.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,011 | $29.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,703 | $40.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,703 | $40.24 |
Median Salary Position
27.84% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,282 (2026 est.). At $61,011, the local median is 27.84% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $61,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,768 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +27.84% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $61,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.84% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% above the California state average of $60,768.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,011 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,605 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,150
2025 BLS Actual
$58,541
2026 Current Est.
$61,011
2019–2027 Growth
+66.7%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,150 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,541 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,586 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 53.4% from $38,150 (2019) to $58,541 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,586 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,436 (66.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $41,421 – $43,833 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,833 – $61,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,011 – $83,703 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,703 – $83,703 |
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 Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, approximately 150 sterile processing technicians are currently employed, indicating a healthy job market for this occupation. The cost of living index of 107.784 shows that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect the purchasing power of technicians' salaries. Hospitals with sterile processing departments typically offer higher compensation, especially for roles that require specialized credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. The pay scale often expands based on factors such as experience level, shift differentials for evening work, and duties that include supervisory roles. To maximize earning potential, technicians may consider obtaining advanced certifications and seeking positions within larger hospital systems or trauma centers, which often provide better pay rates compared to ambulatory surgery centers or third-party service providers in the area.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $58,541 for sterile processing techniciansin the Santa Rosa 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