Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Hoffman Estates, IL: $42,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Hoffman Estates, IL earns a median $42,907/year (≈ $20.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Hoffman Estates's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $44,188 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Hoffman Estates, IL, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $42,907. This figure reflects a competitive local market, especially when considering the full salary range, which spans from $31,629 at the 10th percentile to $61,889 at the 90th percentile. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional price variations, demonstrates the evolving landscape of compensation in this field. Following the credential-required hiring trend that began post-2021, the market in Hoffman Estates is adapting to recognize the specialized skills that certified technicians bring to sterile processing departments.
About the Hoffman Estates Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,629 | $15.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,638 | $16.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,907 | $20.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,255 | $25.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,889 | $29.75 |
Median Salary Position
10.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hoffman Estates
In Hoffman Estates, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,260 (2026 est.). At $42,907, the local median is 10.09% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hoffman Estates: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hoffman Estates Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Hoffman Estates median: $42,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hoffman Estates Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,080 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -10.09% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Hoffman Estates, IL earn a median of $42,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.09% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% below the Illinois state average of $43,080.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hoffman Estates 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.
Hoffman Estates, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $42,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,188 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,315
2025 BLS Actual
$41,170
2026 Current Est.
$42,907
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Hoffman Estates (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,488 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,802 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,081 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,718 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hoffman Estates metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,315 (2019) to $41,170 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,718 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,403 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hoffman Estates 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) | $31,629 – $34,638 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,638 – $42,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,907 – $52,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,255 – $61,889 |
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 Hoffman Estates
With only eight sterile processing technicians employed in Hoffman Estates, the local job market is relatively small but growing, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, which slightly favors technicians in terms of purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers that typically offer higher pay within the region include hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, as well as outpatient ambulatory surgery facilities. Pay disparities can arise due to factors such as shift differentials, experience, and credential stacking involving CRCST, CIS, and CER designations. For those looking to maximize their sterile processing technician pay in Hoffman Estates, acquiring additional certifications and seeking roles with trauma center designations can be particularly beneficial, given the ongoing demand for high-quality sterile processing technicians in healthcare environments.
More salary data for Hoffman Estates, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Hoffman Estates?
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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 $41,170 for sterile processing techniciansin the Hoffman Estates 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 Hoffman Estates 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