Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Temecula, CA: $62,128 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Temecula, CA earns a median $62,128/year (≈ $29.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Temecula's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Temecula, California, can expect a median annual salary of $62,128, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724. The local salary range reveals a substantial earning potential, ranging from $45,476 at the 10th percentile to $89,842 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflect adjustments for regional cost of living differences. With the rapid growth of endoscope reprocessing services amidst increasing demands for quality control, the salary prospects for this specialty within the sterile processing field are robust in Temecula, driven by both healthcare job market expansion and evolving credential requirements.
About the Temecula Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,476 | $21.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,440 | $25.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,128 | $29.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,488 | $36.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,842 | $43.19 |
Median Salary Position
30.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temecula
In Temecula, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,366 (2026 est.). At $62,128, the local median is 30.18% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temecula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temecula Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Temecula median: $62,128/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temecula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,790 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +30.18% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Temecula, CA earn a median of $62,128 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.18% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.20% above the California state average of $60,790.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temecula has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temecula, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,128 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,932 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,790
2025 BLS Actual
$59,612
2026 Current Est.
$62,128
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Temecula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,489 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,839 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,588 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,693 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,612 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,128 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,749 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temecula metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $46,790 (2019) to $59,612 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,749 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,959 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temecula 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) | $45,476 – $52,440 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,440 – $62,128 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,128 – $75,488 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,488 – $89,842 |
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 Temecula
Examining the local job market, currently, there are 25 sterile processing technicians employed in Temecula, CA. The cost-of-living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, housing and living expenses are higher than the national average, affecting take-home purchasing power. Major employers, including hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, typically offer the most competitive pay. The pay disparity may stem from various factors, including shift differentials and specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. To maximize compensation, technicians should consider obtaining additional certifications and looking for positions in higher-paying facilities, such as trauma centers or busy ambulatory surgery centers, where the demand for expertise is particularly high.
More salary data for Temecula, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Temecula, CA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Temecula?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Temecula?
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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 $59,612 for sterile processing techniciansin the Temecula 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
Salary data for Temecula is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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