Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bloomington, IL: $41,571 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bloomington, IL earns a median $41,571/year (≈ $19.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $44,443 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the salary for sterile processing technicians in Bloomington, Illinois, is projected to reach a median of $41,571 annually. This figure reveals a significant shift as local healthcare facilities adapt to new credential requirements implemented post-2021, reflecting the broader trend within the industry towards valuing certified professionals. The salary range for these positions extends from $35,148 at the tenth percentile to $47,635 at the ninetieth percentile. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, these statistics highlight Bloomington's position within the national context, where the median salary for similar roles stands at $47,724. Despite lower compensation levels, the job market in Bloomington shows resilience, indicating opportunities for career advancement in the sterile processing field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,148 | $16.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,129 | $17.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,571 | $19.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,463 | $22.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,635 | $22.90 |
Median Salary Position
12.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,487 (2026 est.). At $41,571, the local median is 12.89% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be above the median
How Bloomington Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $41,571/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,079 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -12.89% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bloomington, IL earn a median of $41,571 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.89% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.50% below the Illinois state average of $43,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 6.46% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IL has a cost-of-living index of 93.537 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $41,571 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,443 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.91% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,500
2025 BLS Actual
$39,888
2026 Current Est.
$41,571
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,864 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,571 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,326 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 19.1% from $33,500 (2019) to $39,888 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,826 (29.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $35,148 – $37,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,129 – $41,571 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,571 – $46,463 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,463 – $47,635 |
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 Bloomington
With 40 sterile processing technicians employed locally, Bloomington boasts a solid job market, albeit with a cost-of-living index measuring 93.537, which is below the national average. This index suggests that while salaries may be lower than elsewhere, purchasing power remains relatively stable for those working in sterile processing roles. Employers in the area often include reputable hospital sterile processing departments and specialized surgical centers, which typically offer the most competitive salaries. The discrepancies in salaries can be influenced by factors like shift differentials for evening or overnight roles, the breadth of credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, and positions like supervisor or lead tech. For technicians seeking to enhance their earnings in Bloomington, pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in trauma centers or high-demand specialty practices can lead to better pay outcomes.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
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 $39,888 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bloomington 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, 5-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