Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Galesburg, IL: $40,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Galesburg, IL earns a median $40,854/year (≈ $19.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $42,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Galesburg's 2026 sterile processing technician salary is projected at $40,854, significantly trailing the national median of $47,724 by approximately 14.40%. This discrepancy highlights how evening and overnight shifts, where surgical tray turnover is high, can influence compensation structures. The expected salary in Galesburg covers a range from $32,502 at the 10th percentile to $58,872 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in pay based on experience, qualifications, and employer type. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local living costs, which can provide a more accurate picture of what technicians can realistically expect, especially in a market with a modest number of employed professionals in this field.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,502 | $15.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,561 | $16.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,854 | $19.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,045 | $24.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,872 | $28.31 |
Median Salary Position
14.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,370 (2026 est.). At $40,854, the local median is 14.4% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $40,854/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,050 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -14.40% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $40,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.40% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $43,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,854 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,768
2025 BLS Actual
$39,200
2026 Current Est.
$40,854
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Galesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,768 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,409 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,088 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,211 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,578 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,768 (2019) to $39,200 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,578 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,810 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $32,502 – $34,561 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,561 – $40,854 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,854 – $50,045 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,045 – $58,872 |
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 Galesburg
While only four sterile processing technicians are currently employed in the Galesburg area, the cost-of-living index of 97.1 indicates that salaries here might stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Hospitals typically offer the best pay among local employers, particularly those equipped with specialty surgical centers and high-demand services like endoscope reprocessing. Variations in pay are also related to other factors such as shift differentials, the credential stack including CRCST, CIS, and CER, and positions in supervisory or lead roles. To enhance income potential, those already in the field should consider pursuing additional credentials, as the trend toward credential-required hiring is solidifying, especially following the 2021 regulatory changes. This proactive step could help bridge the gap between entry-level pay and higher compensation opportunities in Galesburg, IL.
More salary data for Galesburg, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Galesburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Galesburg?
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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 $39,200 for sterile processing techniciansin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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