Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Vallejo, CA: $82,653 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Vallejo, CA earns a median $82,653/year (≈ $39.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Vallejo's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $76,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 36.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The compensation for sterile processing technicians in Vallejo, California, sees a notable rise, with an anticipated median annual salary of $82,653 in 2026. This figure represents a large 73.19% premium compared to the national average of $47,724 for similar roles across the country. Salaries in this field can vary significantly, with a spectrum ranging from $43,502 at the lower end (P10) to $85,424 for those at the top (P90). Evenings and overnight surgeries contribute to increased pay through shift differentials, making this a thriving aspect of the job. With rising demand in Vallejo’s healthcare landscape, these salaries reflect the critical need for skilled sterile processing technicians to ensure surgical instruments and devices are prepared correctly and efficiently.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,502 | $20.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,110 | $38.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,653 | $39.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,424 | $41.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,424 | $41.07 |
Median Salary Position
73.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vallejo
In Vallejo, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,922 (2026 est.). At $82,653, the local median is 73.19% above the national median of $47,724.
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How Vallejo Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Vallejo median: $82,653/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Vallejo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,774 | +36.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +73.19% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Vallejo, CA earn a median of $82,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 73.19% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 36.00% above the California state average of $60,774.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Vallejo has a cost of living 8.48% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Vallejo, CA has a cost-of-living index of 108.479 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $82,653 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,193 — a 7.82% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,000
2025 BLS Actual
$79,306
2026 Current Est.
$82,653
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,030 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,306 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,653 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vallejo metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 18.4% from $67,000 (2019) to $79,306 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,141 (28.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vallejo 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) | $43,502 – $79,110 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,110 – $82,653 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,653 – $85,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,424 – $85,424 |
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 Vallejo
Vallejo currently employs about 140 sterile processing technicians, highlighting the strong local demand for this profession. However, those considering a career in this field should also factor in the cost of living in the area, which is slightly above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 108.479. Employers in diverse settings such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers drive pay disparities. Factors such as experience level, specialized certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and positions within trauma centers command higher wages. Hence, technicians looking to optimize their earnings should consider obtaining additional credentials and seeking employment in high-demand settings, particularly those with evening or overnight shifts to take advantage of shift differentials. Understanding the local job market dynamics is essential for those aiming to maximize their sterile processing technician salary in Vallejo, CA.
More salary data for Vallejo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Vallejo?
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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 $79,306 for sterile processing techniciansin the Vallejo 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