Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Delaware: $44,453 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $44,453/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,710 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($49,181), Newark ($41,829), Dover ($41,721).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $44,453, falling short of the national median of $47,724 by 6.9%. Wilmington represents the highest salary at $51,256, while Middletown offers the lowest at $40,539, illustrating a salary gap of $10,717. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas, with Wilmington having more hospitals and surgical centers that necessitate skilled technicians. Delaware has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence salary levels and job responsibilities. The demand for sterile processing technicians is driven by the growth of the healthcare industry, with expected employment in this field growing at an annual rate of 4.22%. The top projected salaries in 2026 for other cities include Newark at $43,594, Dover at $43,482, Bear at $42,048, and Smyrna at $40,649. With only 39 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Delaware, the job market remains relatively small but is positioned for steady growth as hospitals and surgical centers continue to expand, increasing the need for qualified personnel in the field.
Delaware Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $32,366 (lowest entry-level) to $73,029 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware sterile processing technicians earn 6.85% less than the national median ($-3,271/year difference).
Delaware Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Delaware range from $34,761 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,804 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,453. The Delaware median is $3,271 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $21.37/hr. Approximately 39 sterile processing technicians are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,479
2025 BLS Actual
$42,653
2026 Current Est.
$44,453
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,695 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,176 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,091 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,489 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,485 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,453 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,329 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,479 (2019) to $42,653 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,329 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,850 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $40,539 |
| Smyrna | $40,649 |
| Bear | $42,048 |
| Dover | $43,482 |
| Newark | $43,594 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $51,256 | 101.7 | $50,399 |
| Newark | $43,594 | 101.7 | $42,865 |
| Dover | $43,482 | 101.7 | $42,755 |
| Bear | $42,048 | 101.7 | $41,345 |
| Smyrna | $40,649 | 101.7 | $39,970 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,761 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,453 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,804 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $51,256 |
| 2 | Newark | $43,594 |
| 3 | Dover | $43,482 |
| 4 | Bear | $42,048 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $40,649 |
| 6 | Middletown | $40,539 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Delaware cities.
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 Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Delaware?
How does Delaware sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Delaware?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?
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
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 Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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, 2-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