Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Pearl City, HI: $53,049 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Pearl City, HI earns a median $53,049/year (≈ $25.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Pearl City's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $44,467 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl City, the projected 2026 median annual salary for a sterile processing technician is $53,049, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $47,724, which positions the local pay about 11.16% higher. Salaries for this role in the area vary significantly, with figures ranging from $39,586 at the 10th percentile to $76,897 at the 90th percentile. These statistics are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, underscoring the strong market for sterile processing technicians in this part of Hawaii. The salary dynamics also highlight the importance of evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, where shift differentials can significantly enhance total compensation, particularly within busy hospital settings.
About the Pearl City Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,586 | $19.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,162 | $21.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,049 | $25.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,259 | $31.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,897 | $36.97 |
Median Salary Position
11.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pearl City
In Pearl City, HI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,311 (2026 est.). At $53,049, the local median is 11.16% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pearl City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pearl City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Pearl City median: $53,049/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pearl City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $54,633 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +11.16% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Pearl City, HI earn a median of $53,049 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.16% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.90% below the Hawaii state average of $54,633.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pearl City has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pearl City, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $53,049 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,467 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,952
2025 BLS Actual
$50,901
2026 Current Est.
$53,049
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pearl City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,952 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,404 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,264 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,319 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,211 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,901 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,049 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,288 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pearl City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $39,952 (2019) to $50,901 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,288 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,336 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl City 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) | $39,586 – $45,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,162 – $53,049 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,049 – $65,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,259 – $76,897 |
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 Pearl City
A total of eight sterile processing technicians are currently employed in Pearl City, which indicates a specialized but small local job market. The cost-of-living index in the area sits at 119.3, suggesting elevated living expenses that can impact take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers. The notable variance in pay is influenced by factors such as the complexity of procedures, shift differentials for evening and overnight work, and the addition of specialty certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, along with potential supervisory roles. To maximize pay in Pearl City’s job market, it's advisable for technicians to pursue credential stacking and seek positions within trauma centers, which often offer better compensation packages due to the demanding nature of the work.
More salary data for Pearl City, HI:
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 $50,901 for sterile processing techniciansin the Pearl City 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 Pearl City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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