Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Pocatello, ID: $35,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Pocatello, ID earns a median $35,568/year (≈ $17.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $40,006 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.5% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Pocatello are projected to earn a median annual salary of $35,568. This figure indicates that the salary range for these professionals varies from $31,816 at the 10th percentile to $57,699 at the 90th percentile, as reported by official BLS OEWS surveys. The local compensation significantly lags behind the national median of $47,724, highlighting a notable difference of 25.47%. Factors such as shift differentials and the urgency of evening and overnight surgical tray turnover influence pay scales and can provide opportunities for additional earnings. Pocatello’s job market for sterile processing technicians appears stable, and despite the lower salary range, the presence of healthcare facilities and surgical centers may offer viable job options for those pursuing this career.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,816 | $15.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,568 | $17.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $35,568 | $17.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,099 | $17.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,699 | $27.73 |
Median Salary Position
25.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,883 (2026 est.). At $35,568, the local median is 25.47% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Pocatello Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $35,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $43,642 | -18.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -25.47% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $35,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.47% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 18.50% below the Idaho state average of $43,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $35,568 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,006 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,787
2025 BLS Actual
$34,128
2026 Current Est.
$35,568
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,787 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,345 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,397 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,069 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $26,787 (2019) to $34,128 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,069 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,282 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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) | $31,816 – $35,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,568 – $35,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $35,568 – $37,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,099 – $57,699 |
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 Pocatello
Sterile processing technician pay in Pocatello ID reflects the local job market strength, with around 30 employed technicians. The cost of living index sits at 88.906, which is below the national average, allowing for relatively improved purchasing power despite the modest salaries. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers often offer the most competitive pay, while third-party sterile processing service providers also present good opportunities. The variance between entry-level and top-tier salaries can be attributed to multiple factors, including shift differentials for evening shifts, specialized credentialing like CRCST + CIS + CER, and roles with increased responsibility such as supervisory positions. For technicians seeking to maximize their earning potential in Pocatello, enhancing credentials and pursuing certifications offered by organizations like HSPA can provide leverage in negotiations for better pay.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Pocatello, ID in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Pocatello?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Pocatello?
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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 $34,128 for sterile processing techniciansin the Pocatello 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, 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