Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Kennesaw, GA: $42,768 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Kennesaw, GA earns a median $42,768/year (≈ $20.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Kennesaw's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $45,938 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Georgia state average.

$42,768
Median Annual Salary
$20.56/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$34,465
Entry Level (P10)
$60,633
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Kennesaw, GA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Kennesaw, GA sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Kennesaw, Georgia, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician is $42,768 for 2026, placing it approximately 10.38% below the national median of $47,724. Local salaries vary significantly, ranging from $34,465 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $60,633 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures reflect estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and account for regional economic conditions. The specialized role of sterile processing technicians, particularly those involved in endoscope reprocessing (CER), has become increasingly critical, driving demand and influencing compensation levels. Kennesaw presents unique opportunities for professional growth, with a job market that values credentialing and specialization in this essential field.

About the Kennesaw Market

Salary estimated from Georgia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$34,465$16.57
Lower Range (P25)$35,555$17.09
Median (P50)(typical)$42,768$20.56
Upper Range (P75)$51,783$24.90
Top Earners (P90)$60,633$29.15

Median Salary Position

$34,465$60,633
City Median: $42,768
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

10.38% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennesaw

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Kennesaw. The median salary is $42,768, compared to the national median of $47,724.$31.0K$39.2K$47.3K$55.5K$63.7K$34.5K10th Pctl$35.6K25th Pctl$42.8KMedian$51.8K75th Pctl$60.6K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Kennesaw, GA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,168 (2026 est.). At $42,768, the local median is 10.38% below the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Kennesaw metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$823
per week
$3,564
per month
$42,770
per year

At 40 hours/week in Kennesaw: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Kennesaw Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Kennesaw median: $42,768/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryKennesaw Pays
Georgia Average$44,783-4.50% less
National Average$47,724-10.38% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Kennesaw ($42,768) with Georgia average ($44,783) and the US national median ($47,724).Kennesaw$42,768Georgia Avg$44,783-4.50%US National$47,724-10.38%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Kennesaw, GA earn a median of $42,768 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.38% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.50% below the Georgia state average of $44,783.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$42,768
Nominal Salary
93.1
CoL Index
$45,938
Adjusted Salary

Kennesaw has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $42,768. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $45,938, a gain of $3,170.$36.4K$41.0K$45.6K$50.3K$54.9K$42,768NominalSalary$45,938CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.1) 7.41%US Median $47.7K

Kennesaw, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $42,768 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,938 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$32,209

2025 BLS Actual

$41,036

2026 Current Est.

$42,768

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Kennesaw (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 Kennesaw. Baseline $32,209 in 2025, projected to $44,573 by 2027.$29.7K$34.1K$38.4K$42.7K$47.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$32.2K$33.4K$32.9K$35.7K$39.0K$35.6K$41.0K$42.8K$44.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$32,209Actual
2020$33,379Actual
2021$32,880Actual
2022$35,685Actual
2023$38,954Actual
2024$35,552Actual
2025$41,036Actual
2026(current)$42,768Estimated
2027$44,573Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennesaw metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,209 (2019) to $41,036 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,573 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,364 (38.39%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennesaw 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$34,465$35,555
3-5 years (Mid Career)$35,555$42,768
5+ years (Experienced)$42,768$51,783
10+ years (Top Earner)$51,783$60,633

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 Kennesaw

The local job market for sterile processing technicians in Kennesaw currently supports eight professionals, suggesting a tight-knit community within this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, Kennesaw offers a favorable economic environment compared to national averages, facilitating take-home purchasing power despite lower salaries. Among potential employers, hospitals and specialty surgical centers tend to offer the highest pay; however, pay differences can arise from factors like shift differentials, additional certifications, and responsibilities that vary by workplace. Those holding multiple credentials, such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, or taking on supervisory roles often find themselves at the higher end of the pay spectrum. Individuals aiming to maximize their sterile processing technician salary in Kennesaw, GA should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in high-demand facilities, particularly in trauma centers, to enhance their career trajectory and compensation potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Kennesaw, GA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Kennesaw is $42,768/year ($20.56/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $34,465 at entry level (10th percentile) to $60,633 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Kennesaw at 10.4% below the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Kennesaw, GA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Kennesaw sterile processing technician salaries are 10.4% below the national average and 4.5% below the Georgia state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Kennesaw?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Kennesaw is $42,768, and the 90th percentile earns $60,633. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Kennesaw?

After adjusting for Kennesaw's cost-of-living index of 93.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $42,768 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $45,938 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.4% further in Kennesaw compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for sterile processing technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Kennesaw?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Kennesaw earn a median hourly rate of $20.56, which translates to approximately $42,768/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.57 for entry-level positions to $29.15 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Georgia

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

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 $41,036 for sterile processing techniciansin the Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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