Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Post Falls, ID: $41,967 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Post Falls, ID earns a median $41,967/year (≈ $20.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Post Falls's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $44,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Post Falls, ID, the projected salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $41,967 annually, placing local compensation approximately 12.06% lower than the national median of $47,724. Salaries in the area span from $34,285 at the 10th percentile to $60,045 for those in the 90th percentile, reflecting a variety of roles and responsibilities within the field. The figures for this occupation are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost considerations and specific market dynamics. Evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, which often includes shift differentials, can significantly enhance earnings potential in this sector, making Post Falls an interesting place for both new entrants and seasoned professionals in the sterile processing field.
About the Post Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,285 | $16.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,165 | $17.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,967 | $20.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,571 | $23.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,045 | $28.87 |
Median Salary Position
12.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Post Falls
In Post Falls, ID, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,760 (2026 est.). At $41,967, the local median is 12.06% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Post Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Post Falls Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Post Falls median: $41,967/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Post Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $43,670 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -12.06% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Post Falls, ID earn a median of $41,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.06% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.90% below the Idaho state average of $43,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Post Falls has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Post Falls, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $41,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,037 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,607
2025 BLS Actual
$40,268
2026 Current Est.
$41,967
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Post Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,607 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,755 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,265 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,017 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,225 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,473 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,268 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,967 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,738 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Post Falls metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,607 (2019) to $40,268 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,738 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,131 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Post Falls 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) | $34,285 – $36,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,165 – $41,967 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,967 – $49,571 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,571 – $60,045 |
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 Post Falls
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Post Falls is somewhat limited, with only 9 individuals currently employed in this role. With a cost of living index of 95.3, the local economy is slightly below the national average, providing technicians with a decent purchasing power compared to other locations. While larger employers such as hospital sterile processing departments typically offer higher wages, ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical centers may provide competitive compensation as well. Factors contributing to the salary range include the shift differentials related to evening and overnight work, as well as the value of additional credentials beyond the standard CRCST. Professionals looking to maximize their pay in Post Falls should consider pursuing specialty certifications like CIS or CER, which enhance skillsets and marketability within the evolving sterile processing landscape, especially in light of recent credential requirements implemented post-2021.
More salary data for Post Falls, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Post Falls?
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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 $40,268 for sterile processing techniciansin the Post Falls 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 Post Falls 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