Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Stockton, CA: $61,092 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Stockton, CA earns a median $61,092/year (≈ $29.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $58,134 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Stockton, California, the competitive earnings for sterile processing technicians reflect the demanding nature of their responsibilities, particularly during evening or overnight surgical tray turnovers. The projected median annual salary of $61,092 significantly exceeds the national benchmark, offering both a solid baseline and a broad pay spectrum ranging from $45,053 at the lower end to $85,304 for those at the high end of the scale. This data is derived from BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates a robust job market for professionals in this field, where specialized skill sets and shift differentials play a crucial role in compensation. As the healthcare landscape evolves, the demand for qualified sterile processing technicians continues to rise in Stockton.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,053 | $21.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,414 | $23.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,092 | $29.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,751 | $37.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,304 | $41.01 |
Median Salary Position
28.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,251 (2026 est.). At $61,092, the local median is 28.01% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Stockton median: $61,092/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,788 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +28.01% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Stockton, CA earn a median of $61,092 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.01% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.50% above the California state average of $60,788.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,092 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,134 — a 4.84% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,080
2025 BLS Actual
$58,618
2026 Current Est.
$61,092
2019–2027 Growth
+38.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,730 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,618 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,092 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.2% from $46,080 (2019) to $58,618 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,590 (38.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $45,053 – $48,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,414 – $61,092 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,092 – $78,751 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,751 – $85,304 |
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 Stockton
Focus remains on the local job market, which currently employs around 100 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 105.089, it’s essential for technicians to consider how their take-home earnings stack up against expenses in relation to the area's economic conditions. Employers that typically offer the highest pay include hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, where shift differentials and additional credentials like CRCST, CIS, or CER can enhance salary prospects. Factors such as supervisory roles or working in trauma centers further widen the gap between low and high pay. For those in Stockton, maximizing earning potential often involves strategic credential stacking, exploring night shift opportunities, and positioning oneself in facilities that value specialized skill sets.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 $58,618 for sterile processing techniciansin the Stockton 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