Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Brighton, CO: $46,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Brighton, CO earns a median $46,683/year (≈ $22.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $44,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Brighton, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $46,683 in 2026, which presents a slight dip compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this profession spans from $37,504 at the lower end to $67,698 for top earners. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect regional cost adjustments that can significantly influence take-home compensation. The dynamics of shift differentials, especially for evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers, can enhance earning potential, making this area appealing for technicians seeking growth in their careers.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,504 | $18.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,761 | $19.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,683 | $22.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,446 | $27.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,698 | $32.55 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,194 (2026 est.). At $46,683, the local median is 2.18% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Brighton median: $46,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,986 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -2.18% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Brighton, CO earn a median of $46,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $48,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,683 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,460 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,158
2025 BLS Actual
$44,793
2026 Current Est.
$46,683
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,952 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,041 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,793 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,653 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $35,158 (2019) to $44,793 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,653 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,495 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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) | $37,504 – $39,761 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,761 – $46,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,683 – $57,446 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,446 – $67,698 |
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 Brighton
With only seven sterile processing technicians currently employed in Brighton, the job market remains relatively tight, which can impact compensation trends. The cost-of-living index sits at 105, indicating that expenses in Brighton are above the national average, affecting purchasing power for workers. Hospitals often provide the highest wages among local employers, particularly when considering the need for specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, certifications, and the setting—hospital versus ambulatory surgery centers. To maximize earnings, technicians should pursue additional certifications and aim for positions that offer shift differentials or supervisory roles, enhancing their skill sets and salary prospects in Brighton's evolving market.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
Is Brighton, CO a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Brighton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Brighton?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Brighton?
Related Pages
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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 $44,793 for sterile processing techniciansin the Brighton 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 Brighton 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