Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Illinois: $46,859 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $46,859/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,258 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($47,172), Chicago ($46,685), Elgin ($46,269).

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois sterile processing technician salary overview (2026)

$46,859

Avg Median Salary

$22.53

Avg Hourly Rate

3,104

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, sterile processing technicians can expect an average median salary of $46,859 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724, resulting in a -1.8% difference. The salary range across different cities shows significant variation; for instance, the highest paying city, Naperville, offers a salary of $49,163, while Urbana has the lowest at $37,044, creating a salary gap of $12,119. This disparity can be attributed to local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and varying healthcare infrastructure. Illinois has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws governing sterile processing technicians, which can influence job opportunities. The demand within the state is also driven by the presence of numerous hospitals, surgical centers, and medical facilities that require a consistent supply of qualified technicians. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.22%, indicating healthy demand for this profession. Key cities for employment include Chicago at $48,655, Elgin at $48,222, Peoria at $45,634, and Rockford at $44,562. With over 3,104 technicians employed across the state, opportunities are expected to remain stable, making this a viable career path for those interested in healthcare support roles.

Illinois Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$37,824

avg across 64 cities

Median

$46,859

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$67,440

avg across 64 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $30,129 (lowest entry-level) to $75,795 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$46,859

National Median

$47,724

Illinois sterile processing technicians earn 1.81% less than the national median ($-865/year difference).

Illinois Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Illinois range from $37,824 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $67,440 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,859. The Illinois median is $865 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $22.53/hr. Approximately 3,104 sterile processing technicians are employed across 64 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$38,790

2025 BLS Actual

$44,962

2026 Current Est.

$46,859

2019–2027 Growth

+25.9%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Illinois (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$38,790	Actual
2020	$40,205	Actual
2021	$37,492	Actual
2022	$42,296	Actual
2023	$45,159	Actual
2024	$46,039	Actual
2025	$44,962	Actual
2026(current)	$46,859	Estimated
2027	$48,837	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 15.9% from $38,790 (2019) to $44,962 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,837 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,047 (25.90%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $23.64/hr

$49,163

+4.92% vs avg

Chicago

2,140 employed · $23.39/hr

$48,655

+3.83% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $23.18/hr

$48,222

+2.91% vs avg

Peoria

130 employed · $21.94/hr

$45,634

-2.61% vs avg

Rockford

90 employed · $21.42/hr

$44,562

-4.90% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Urbana	$37,044	-20.95%	$17.81
Champaign	$37,179	-20.66%	$17.88
Springfield	$39,801	-15.06%	$19.13
Rock Island	$40,029	-14.58%	$19.25
Carbondale	$40,338	-13.92%	$19.40

Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Illinois

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

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Naperville	$49,163	97.1	$50,631
Peoria	$45,634	91.231	$50,020
Elgin	$48,222	97.1	$49,662
Rockford	$44,562	92.154	$48,356
Chicago	$48,655	103.595	$46,967

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

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$37,824	$18.18	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$46,859	$22.53	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$67,440	$32.42	90th percentile, top earners

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

All 64 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$49,163	$23.64	$35,794	$75,795	23
2	Chicago	$48,655	$23.39	$39,481	$71,276	2,140
3	Elgin	$48,222	$23.18	$37,282	$72,566	16
4	Peoria	$45,634	$21.94	$36,169	$55,929	130
5	Rockford	$44,562	$21.42	$37,539	$57,460	90
6	Decatur	$43,668	$20.99	$33,391	$62,839	13
7	Orland Park	$43,668	$20.99	$33,436	$62,951	9
8	Bolingbrook	$43,481	$20.91	$31,539	$62,298	19
9	Palatine	$43,153	$20.75	$32,031	$62,740	16
10	Waukegan	$43,129	$20.74	$32,152	$65,397	18
11	Mount Prospect	$43,047	$20.70	$31,958	$62,262	13
12	Hoffman Estates	$42,907	$20.63	$31,629	$61,889	8
13	Evanston	$42,825	$20.59	$31,437	$64,216	16
14	Joliet	$42,790	$20.57	$32,761	$63,749	25
15	Oak Park	$42,754	$20.55	$31,270	$61,360	10
16	Danville	$42,666	$20.51	$33,477	$59,316	5
17	Addison	$42,575	$20.47	$33,253	$60,624	6
18	Berwyn	$42,556	$20.46	$30,810	$60,681	12
19	Aurora	$42,528	$20.45	$32,159	$62,839	44
20	Tinley Park	$42,522	$20.45	$33,957	$63,265	8
21	Northbrook	$42,478	$20.43	$32,970	$60,189	8
22	St. Charles	$42,452	$20.41	$32,950	$58,598	7
23	Gurnee	$42,442	$20.41	$32,925	$58,669	8
24	Arlington Heights	$42,382	$20.38	$33,796	$62,779	18
25	Wheaton	$42,328	$20.35	$33,667	$62,590	14
26	Woodridge	$42,314	$20.34	$32,570	$58,138	9
27	Schaumburg	$42,294	$20.33	$33,542	$63,899	13
28	Buffalo Grove	$42,281	$20.32	$34,703	$62,129	7
29	Bartlett	$42,278	$20.32	$32,525	$58,121	9
30	Lake in the Hills	$42,121	$20.25	$32,098	$61,578	6
31	Collinsville	$42,114	$20.25	$32,127	$59,066	5
32	Skokie	$42,103	$20.24	$33,089	$61,678	12
33	Wheeling	$42,040	$20.21	$34,106	$61,304	6
34	Carpentersville	$41,993	$20.19	$34,035	$61,249	8
35	Oak Lawn	$41,966	$20.18	$32,638	$61,344	14
36	O'Fallon	$41,957	$20.17	$31,746	$61,021	6
37	Quincy	$41,793	$20.09	$31,353	$60,568	6
38	Algonquin	$41,793	$20.09	$31,176	$60,568	5
39	Carol Stream	$41,757	$20.07	$31,264	$60,444	10
40	Normal	$41,755	$20.07	$31,095	$60,621	8
41	Lombard	$41,730	$20.06	$31,200	$60,353	8
42	Cicero	$41,686	$20.04	$32,153	$60,387	21
43	Plainfield	$41,643	$20.02	$34,251	$60,060	11
44	Des Plaines	$41,635	$20.02	$32,034	$60,213	12
45	Bloomington	$41,571	$19.99	$35,148	$47,635	40
46	Oswego	$41,475	$19.94	$33,839	$59,496	7
47	DeKalb	$41,442	$19.93	$33,933	$60,850	9
48	Park Ridge	$41,409	$19.91	$33,851	$59,272	7
49	Hanover Park	$41,392	$19.90	$33,810	$60,681	6
50	Glenview	$41,389	$19.90	$33,802	$60,670	12
51	Romeoville	$41,222	$19.82	$33,393	$58,647	7
52	Streamwood	$41,165	$19.79	$33,255	$59,811	8
53	Downers Grove	$41,088	$19.75	$33,068	$59,654	11
54	Belleville	$41,078	$19.75	$33,044	$58,066	10
55	Crystal Lake	$41,012	$19.72	$32,882	$59,397	9
56	Galesburg	$40,854	$19.65	$32,502	$58,872	4
57	Calumet City	$40,841	$19.64	$32,470	$57,280	7
58	Elmhurst	$40,741	$19.58	$32,229	$57,051	9
59	Moline	$40,658	$19.55	$31,488	$56,342	10
60	Carbondale	$40,338	$19.40	$34,342	$56,252	5
61	Rock Island	$40,029	$19.25	$30,129	$55,564	5
62	Springfield	$39,801	$19.13	$36,819	$47,794	80
63	Champaign	$37,179	$17.88	$36,629	$57,730	N/A
64	Urbana	$37,044	$17.81	$30,596	$53,392	6

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.

Naperville →Chicago →Elgin →

Compare Cities in Illinois

Chicago, ILvsPeoria, IL Chicago, ILvsRockford, IL Chicago, ILvsSpringfield, IL Chicago, ILvsAurora, IL Chicago, ILvsBloomington, IL Chicago, ILvsJoliet, IL

View all comparisons →

Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median sterile processing technician salary in Illinois is $46,859/year across 64 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $37,044 in Urbana to $49,163 in Naperville. This makes Illinois 1.81% below the national median of $47,724. The state employs approximately 3,104 sterile processing technicians.

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

Naperville offers the highest sterile processing technician salary in Illinois at $49,163/year ($23.64/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($49,163), Chicago ($48,655), Elgin ($48,222). 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 Illinois sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average sterile processing technician salary of $46,859 is 1.81% below the national median of $47,724 in 2026. The state employs approximately 3,104 sterile processing technicians across 64 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 Illinois?

Entry-level sterile processing technicians (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $37,824/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $30,129 in lower-paying areas to $39,481 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 Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 3,104 sterile processing technicians across 64 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the sterile processing field expands and the population ages.

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

When adjusted for cost of living, Naperville offers the highest purchasing power for sterile processing technicians in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $50,631 (nominal: $49,163, CoL index: 97.1). This means your dollar goes 3% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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 Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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