Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Tampa, FL: $47,204 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Tampa, FL earns a median $47,204/year (≈ $22.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Tampa's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $46,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, the median annual sterile processing technician salary is projected to reach $47,204 in 2026. This figure is slightly lower than the national median of $47,724, highlighting a unique regional market for healthcare support roles. The salary range for technicians in this area spans from $36,969 at the 10th percentile to $75,959 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization. Positions that require advanced skills, particularly in endoscope reprocessing (CER), often command higher salaries. The data presented here is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, which indicate a steady growth in demand for sterile processing technicians in the Tampa area, suggesting a robust job market for future professionals in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,969 | $17.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,204 | $22.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,390 | $27.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,959 | $36.52 |
Median Salary Position
1.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tampa
In Tampa, FL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,990 (2026 est.). At $47,204, the local median is 1.09% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Tampa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tampa Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Tampa median: $47,204/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tampa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $43,708 | +8.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -1.09% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Tampa, FL earn a median of $47,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 8.00% above the Florida state average of $43,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tampa has a cost of living 0.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tampa, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,204 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,788 — a 0.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,680
2025 BLS Actual
$45,293
2026 Current Est.
$47,204
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,293 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,204 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tampa metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 43.0% from $31,680 (2019) to $45,293 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,516 (55.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tampa 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) | $36,969 – $39,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,000 – $47,204 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,204 – $57,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,390 – $75,959 |
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 Tampa
The job market in Tampa currently employs approximately 920 sterile processing technicians, highlighting the significant demand for this role within the local healthcare system. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89, residents may find that their take-home pay affords them a comfortable lifestyle, albeit with some budgeting considerations. Employers who typically offer higher pay for technicians in Tampa include hospital sterile processing departments, specialty surgical centers, and large multi-doctor dental practices. The wide pay spectrum can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight work, additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, or CER, and varying responsibilities associated with supervisory roles. For those looking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Tampa, pursuing further credentialing and seeking out positions in trauma centers or advanced surgical settings can be advantageous strategies moving forward.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $45,293 for sterile processing techniciansin the Tampa 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