Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Vacaville, CA: $60,640 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Vacaville, CA earns a median $60,640/year (≈ $29.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in Vacaville, California, is $60,640, reflecting a significant upward trend in this essential healthcare role. The salary landscape shows a range from $46,838 at the lower end (P10) to $93,135 at the high end (P90), driven largely by the increased demand for skilled technicians following the 2021 shift to credential-required hiring practices across many healthcare facilities. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price parities, highlighting how local market conditions enhance the earning potential for those in this profession. As a result, Vacaville's job market appears to be adapting well to the evolving standards and requirements in sterile processing.
About the Vacaville Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,838 | $22.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,753 | $24.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,640 | $29.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,913 | $36.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,135 | $44.77 |
Median Salary Position
27.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville
In Vacaville, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,297 (2026 est.). At $60,640, the local median is 27.06% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Vacaville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Vacaville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Vacaville median: $60,640/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vacaville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,762 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +27.06% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $60,640 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.06% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.20% below the California state average of $60,762.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vacaville has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,640 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,616 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,670
2025 BLS Actual
$58,185
2026 Current Est.
$60,640
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Vacaville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,329 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,621 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,598 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,976 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,185 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,640 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,199 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $45,670 (2019) to $58,185 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,199 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,529 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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) | $46,838 – $50,753 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,753 – $60,640 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,640 – $76,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,913 – $93,135 |
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 Vacaville
The employment of 15 sterile processing technicians in Vacaville indicates a niche but steady job market, which is tempered by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that wages must sustain purchasing power in a higher-cost environment. Hospitals and specialty surgical centers are among the top employers in the area, often offering more competitive pay than third-party service providers. This pay disparity is influenced by various factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work, credential combinations (e.g., CRCST, CIS, and CER), and the designation of trauma centers. Those looking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Vacaville should consider obtaining advanced certifications, pursuing roles in higher-paying specialties, and seeking positions in environments that necessitate 24/7 staffing. Understanding these dynamics can significantly impact earning potential in this evolving field.
More salary data for Vacaville, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Vacaville, CA in 2026?
Is Vacaville, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Vacaville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Vacaville?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Vacaville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $58,185 for sterile processing techniciansin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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