Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Union City, CA: $60,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Union City, CA earns a median $60,902/year (≈ $29.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,848 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, sterile processing technicians in Union City, California, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $60,902, which significantly surpasses the national average of $47,724. This premium reflects the importance of specialized skills, especially in endoscope reprocessing (CER), which has become vital due to increasing scrutiny from infection litigation related to procedures involving scopes. The local salary range for this role stretches from $45,478 at the lower tenth percentile to $86,353 at the ninetieth, indicating a healthy demand for professionals capable of meeting the industry's evolving standards. These estimates are derived from the 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrating the competitive nature of the job market in Union City.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,478 | $21.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,923 | $24.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,902 | $29.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,275 | $35.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,353 | $41.51 |
Median Salary Position
27.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,875 (2026 est.). At $60,902, the local median is 27.61% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Union City median: $60,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,780 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +27.61% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Union City, CA earn a median of $60,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.61% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.20% above the California state average of $60,780.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,902 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,848 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,867
2025 BLS Actual
$58,436
2026 Current Est.
$60,902
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,867 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,533 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,822 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,816 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,471 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,279 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,472 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,867 (2019) to $58,436 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,472 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,605 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $45,478 – $51,923 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,923 – $60,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,902 – $73,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,275 – $86,353 |
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 Union City
In Union City, approximately 11 sterile processing technicians are currently employed, a number that reflects a modest but stable job market. However, the local cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may appear competitive, purchasing power is impacted by higher expenses. Hospitals typically offer the most lucrative positions, especially for those with advanced certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER. The variation in pay can also be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work and the specific employment setting, whether it be in a hospital sterile processing department or an ambulatory surgery center. To maximize earning potential, technicians should consider enhancing their credentials, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and seeking roles in facilities recognized for commitment to infection control, which may offer additional financial incentives.
More salary data for Union City, 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 $58,436 for sterile processing techniciansin the Union City 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 Union City 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