Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Connecticut: $47,125 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $47,125/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,675 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shelton ($47,738), New Haven ($46,992), Waterbury ($46,771).

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Connecticut - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Connecticut sterile processing technician salary overview (2026)
$47,125
Avg Median Salary
$22.66
Avg Hourly Rate
1,290
Metro Employed
29
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians in Connecticut is projected to be $47,125, which is slightly lower than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a difference of 1.3%. The highest paying city for this role in the state is Shelton, with an average salary of $49,753, while New London offers the lowest at $39,101. This $10,652 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living in different areas, local healthcare demands, and the presence of medical facilities. Connecticut has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact job expectations and responsibilities. The demand for sterile processing technicians is supported by a growth rate of 4.22%, as projected from 2025 BLS data, indicating a steady influx of job opportunities in the coming years. Cities like New Haven ($48,975), Waterbury ($48,745), Manchester ($48,453), and Bridgeport ($48,044) also show strong salary figures, reflecting regional healthcare needs. Altogether, the state employs approximately 1,290 sterile processing technicians, presenting a stable job market in this field as advancements in healthcare continue to drive demand.

Connecticut Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$38,397
avg across 29 cities
Median
$47,125
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$64,653
avg across 29 cities

Overall salary range in Connecticut: $31,908 (lowest entry-level) to $74,808 (highest top earner)

Connecticut vs National Average

Connecticut
$47,125
National Median
$47,724

Connecticut sterile processing technicians earn 1.26% less than the national median ($-599/year difference).

Connecticut Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Connecticut sterile processing technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $38,397, 25th $41,860, Median $47,125, 75th $58,900, 90th $64,653. US national median is $47,724.$18.1K$36.2K$54.3K$72.4K$38.4K10thEntry Level$41.9K25thEarly Career$47.1KMedianMid Career$58.9K75thExperienced$64.7K90thTop EarnerUS Median $47.7K

Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Connecticut range from $38,397 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,653 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,125. The Connecticut median is $599 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $22.66/hr. Approximately 1,290 sterile processing technicians are employed across 29 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$39,592

2025 BLS Actual

$45,217

2026 Current Est.

$47,125

2019–2027 Growth

+24.1%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Connecticut (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Connecticut. Baseline $39,592 in 2025, projected to $49,114 by 2027.$37.3K$40.7K$44.2K$47.6K$51.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.6K$40.3K$39.2K$41.0K$45.8K$47.5K$45.2K$47.1K$49.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$39,592Actual
2020$40,339Actual
2021$39,236Actual
2022$41,046Actual
2023$45,837Actual
2024$47,481Actual
2025$45,217Actual
2026(current)$47,125Estimated
2027$49,114Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 14.2% from $39,592 (2019) to $45,217 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,522 (24.05%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut

#1
Shelton
10 employed · $23.92/hr
$49,753
+5.58% vs avg
#2
New Haven
270 employed · $23.55/hr
$48,975
+3.93% vs avg
#3
Waterbury
70 employed · $23.43/hr
$48,745
+3.44% vs avg
#4
Manchester
11 employed · $23.29/hr
$48,453
+2.82% vs avg
#5
Bridgeport
230 employed · $23.11/hr
$48,044
+1.95% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut

CityMedian Salary
New London$39,101
Norwich$39,381
West Hartford$45,220
East Hartford$45,539
Cheshire$45,870

Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Connecticut

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Waterbury$48,74599.778$48,853
New Haven$48,975104.559$46,840
Shelton$49,753107.9$46,110
Hartford$46,334102.746$45,096
Bridgeport$48,044106.864$44,958

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$38,397
Mid Career (3-7 years)$47,125
Experienced (7+ years)$64,653

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 29 Cities in Connecticut

#CityMedian Salary
1Shelton$49,753
2New Haven$48,975
3Waterbury$48,745
4Manchester$48,453
5Bridgeport$48,044
6Norwalk$47,813
7Bristol$47,661
8Stratford$47,592
9Middletown$47,534
10Meriden$47,433
11Stamford$47,400
12Hamden$47,276
13Fairfield$47,242
14New Britain$47,189
15Danbury$47,040
16Milford$46,976
17West Haven$46,957
18Torrington$46,728
19Groton$46,572
20Vernon$46,381
21Glastonbury$46,366
22Hartford$46,334
23Naugatuck$46,038
24Enfield$45,972
25Cheshire$45,870
26East Hartford$45,539
27West Hartford$45,220
28Norwich$39,381
29New London$39,101

More Connecticut Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Connecticut cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.

Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Connecticut in 2026?

The average median sterile processing technician salary in Connecticut is $47,125/year across 29 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $39,101 in New London to $49,753 in Shelton. This makes Connecticut 1.26% below the national median of $47,724. The state employs approximately 1,290 sterile processing technicians.

What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Connecticut?

Shelton offers the highest sterile processing technician salary in Connecticut at $49,753/year ($23.92/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Shelton ($49,753), New Haven ($48,975), Waterbury ($48,745). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for sterile processing services, and competition among employers for licensed sterile processing technicians.

How does Connecticut sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?

Connecticut's average sterile processing technician salary of $47,125 is 1.26% below the national median of $47,724 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,290 sterile processing technicians across 29 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Connecticut?

Entry-level sterile processing technicians (10th percentile) in Connecticut earn approximately $38,397/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $31,908 in lower-paying areas to $39,540 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Connecticut?

Connecticut employs approximately 1,290 sterile processing technicians across 29 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the sterile processing field expands and the population ages.

Which Connecticut city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Waterbury offers the highest purchasing power for sterile processing technicians in Connecticut, with an adjusted salary of $48,853 (nominal: $48,745, CoL index: 99.778). This means your dollar goes 0% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 sterile processing technician compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more sterile processing technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

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

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