Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Denver, CO: $45,513 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Denver, CO earns a median $45,513/year (≈ $21.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $43,025 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $45,513, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. Salaries for these professionals range from $35,779 at the 10th percentile to as much as $65,203 at the 90th percentile. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the dynamic nature of the local healthcare market, particularly as demand for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover influences compensation. Given the critical role that sterile processing technicians play in maintaining infection control, the potential for higher earnings through shift differentials makes this field increasingly attractive for job seekers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,779 | $17.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,513 | $21.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,203 | $31.35 |
Median Salary Position
4.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,424 (2026 est.). At $45,513, the local median is 4.63% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Denver median: $45,513/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,991 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -4.63% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Denver, CO earn a median of $45,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.63% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.10% below the Colorado state average of $48,991.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,513 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,025 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,910
2025 BLS Actual
$43,670
2026 Current Est.
$45,513
2019–2027 Growth
+8.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,513 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,434 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew -0.5% from $43,910 (2019) to $43,670 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,434 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,524 (8.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $35,779 – $39,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,540 – $45,513 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,513 – $57,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,680 – $65,203 |
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 Denver
With approximately 1,280 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Denver, the job market demonstrates a strong potential for career growth, fueled by an annual growth rate of 4.22%. However, aspiring technicians must consider the cost-of-living index, which stands at 105.782, indicating that living expenses in the region are somewhat above the national average. This reality can impact take-home pay, emphasizing the need for higher compensation to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Hospitals typically offer the most competitive salaries; however, ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical facilities are also viable contenders. Pay variance is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, the accumulation of specialty credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, plus positions of greater responsibility like supervisors. To maximize pay in this Denver market, gaining additional certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying settings can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Denver, CO in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Denver?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Denver?
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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 $43,670 for sterile processing techniciansin the Denver 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