Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Idaho: $45,775 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $45,775/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,033 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Idaho Falls ($49,661), Boise City ($44,592), Boise ($43,425).

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Idaho - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Idaho sterile processing technician salary overview (2026)
$45,775
Avg Median Salary
$22.01
Avg Hourly Rate
567
Metro Employed
16
Cities

The salary landscape for sterile processing technicians in Idaho reveals an average median salary of $45,774, which is approximately 4.1% lower than the national median of $47,724. The disparity between Idaho's highest and lowest paying cities is significant; Idaho Falls leads with a salary of $51,757, while Pocatello offers $35,568. This gap can be attributed to several factors, including cost of living variations, healthcare facility densities, and local demand for skilled technicians. In Idaho, state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws may influence job dynamics, though these are generally straightforward compared to other healthcare roles. The state's job market for sterile processing technicians is growing, with an annual growth rate projected at 4.22%. This increase is driven by the expanding healthcare sector and an ongoing need for sterile processing services in hospitals and clinics across the state. In terms of projected salaries for key cities in 2026, Boise City is expected to average $46,474, while Boise may see a slightly lower average of $45,258. Other cities like Nampa and Coeur d'Alene are expected to offer salaries of $44,916 and $44,070, respectively. Overall, the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in Idaho remains positive, supported by steady demand and growth within the healthcare industry.

Idaho Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$35,954
avg across 16 cities
Median
$45,775
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$66,826
avg across 16 cities

Overall salary range in Idaho: $31,729 (lowest entry-level) to $98,831 (highest top earner)

Idaho vs National Average

Idaho
$45,775
National Median
$47,724

Idaho sterile processing technicians earn 4.08% less than the national median ($-1,949/year difference).

Idaho Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Idaho sterile processing technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $35,954, 25th $39,022, Median $45,775, 75th $55,832, 90th $66,826. US national median is $47,724.$18.7K$37.4K$56.1K$74.8K$36.0K10thEntry Level$39.0K25thEarly Career$45.8KMedianMid Career$55.8K75thExperienced$66.8K90thTop EarnerUS Median $47.7K

Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Idaho range from $35,954 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $66,826 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,775. The Idaho median is $1,949 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $22.01/hr. Approximately 567 sterile processing technicians are employed across 16 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$29,862

2025 BLS Actual

$43,921

2026 Current Est.

$45,775

2019–2027 Growth

+59.8%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Idaho (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 Idaho. Baseline $29,862 in 2025, projected to $47,706 by 2027.$26.3K$32.5K$38.8K$45.0K$51.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.9K$31.4K$36.4K$36.5K$40.5K$42.3K$43.9K$45.8K$47.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$29,862Actual
2020$31,450Actual
2021$36,360Actual
2022$36,532Actual
2023$40,545Actual
2024$42,348Actual
2025$43,921Actual
2026(current)$45,775Estimated
2027$47,706Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 47.1% from $29,862 (2019) to $43,921 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,706 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,844 (59.75%) from 2019.

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

#1
Idaho Falls
80 employed · $24.89/hr
$51,757
+13.07% vs avg
#2
Boise City
260 employed · $22.34/hr
$46,474
+1.53% vs avg
#3
Boise
60 employed · $21.76/hr
$45,258
-1.13% vs avg
#4
Nampa
25 employed · $21.59/hr
$44,916
-1.88% vs avg
#5
Coeur d'Alene
12 employed · $21.19/hr
$44,070
-3.72% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho

CityMedian Salary
Pocatello$35,568
Mountain Home$41,169
Eagle$41,578
Post Falls$41,967
Lewiston$41,988

Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Idaho

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

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Idaho Falls$51,75794.412$54,820
Boise$45,25895.3$47,490
Boise City$46,47498.391$47,234
Nampa$44,91695.3$47,131
Coeur d'Alene$44,07095.3$46,243

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

Salary by Experience Level in Idaho

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$35,954
Mid Career (3-7 years)$45,775
Experienced (7+ years)$66,826

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

All 16 Cities in Idaho

#CityMedian Salary
1Idaho Falls$51,757
2Boise City$46,474
3Boise$45,258
4Nampa$44,916
5Coeur d'Alene$44,070
6Caldwell$44,005
7Meridian$43,826
8Twin Falls$43,511
9Rexburg$43,251
10Moscow$42,571
11Kuna$42,225
12Lewiston$41,988
13Post Falls$41,967
14Eagle$41,578
15Mountain Home$41,169
16Pocatello$35,568

More Idaho Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Idaho 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 Idaho in 2026?

The average median sterile processing technician salary in Idaho is $45,775/year across 16 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $35,568 in Pocatello to $51,757 in Idaho Falls. This makes Idaho 4.08% below the national median of $47,724. The state employs approximately 567 sterile processing technicians.

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

Idaho Falls offers the highest sterile processing technician salary in Idaho at $51,757/year ($24.89/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Idaho Falls ($51,757), Boise City ($46,474), Boise ($45,258). 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 Idaho sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?

Idaho's average sterile processing technician salary of $45,775 is 4.08% below the national median of $47,724 in 2026. The state employs approximately 567 sterile processing technicians across 16 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 Idaho?

Entry-level sterile processing technicians (10th percentile) in Idaho earn approximately $35,954/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $31,729 in lower-paying areas to $38,659 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 Idaho?

Idaho employs approximately 567 sterile processing technicians across 16 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the sterile processing field expands and the population ages.

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

When adjusted for cost of living, Idaho Falls offers the highest purchasing power for sterile processing technicians in Idaho, with an adjusted salary of $54,820 (nominal: $51,757, CoL index: 94.412). This means your dollar goes 6% 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 Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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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