Sterile Processing Technician Salary in DeKalb, IL: $41,442 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in DeKalb, IL earns a median $41,442/year (≈ $19.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in DeKalb's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $42,680 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In DeKalb, the earning landscape for sterile processing technicians reflects the market's response to the post-2021 shift towards credential-required hiring. The projected median annual salary stands at $41,442, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,724, putting local pay at a 13.16% disadvantage. Salary estimates show a range from $33,933 at the 10th percentile to $60,850 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost variations. As the demand for certified professionals grows, the sterile processing technician salary in DeKalb may evolve, especially in response to the rising need for complex reprocessing skills in various medical settings.
About the DeKalb Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,933 | $16.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,769 | $17.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,442 | $19.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,006 | $23.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,850 | $29.25 |
Median Salary Position
13.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in DeKalb
In DeKalb, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,917 (2026 est.). At $41,442, the local median is 13.16% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in DeKalb: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How DeKalb Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
DeKalb median: $41,442/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | DeKalb Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,079 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -13.16% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in DeKalb, IL earn a median of $41,442 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.16% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $43,079.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
DeKalb has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
DeKalb, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $41,442 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,680 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,211
2025 BLS Actual
$39,764
2026 Current Est.
$41,442
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in DeKalb (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,345 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,579 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,747 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,764 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,442 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,191 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the DeKalb metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,211 (2019) to $39,764 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,191 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,980 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the DeKalb 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) | $33,933 – $35,769 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,769 – $41,442 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,442 – $49,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,006 – $60,850 |
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 DeKalb
Despite having only nine sterile processing technicians currently employed in DeKalb, job prospects appear stable, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%. The cost of living index in the area sits at 97.1, indicating that purchasing power remains relatively accessible. Within the local healthcare framework, salaries may vary significantly by employer. Hospital sterile processing departments typically offer higher wages compared to ambulatory surgery centers or specialty surgical practices. Additional pay could be influenced by shift differentials or by holding specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, especially in high-demand areas such as endoscope reprocessing. To maximize earning potential, professionals in DeKalb should consider obtaining these credentials, seeking night or weekend shifts, and aiming for supervisor roles to leverage the existing pay spread in the market.
More salary data for DeKalb, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in DeKalb, IL in 2026?
Is DeKalb, IL a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in DeKalb?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in DeKalb?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in DeKalb?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $39,764 for sterile processing techniciansin the DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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