Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Moline, IL: $40,658 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Moline, IL earns a median $40,658/year (≈ $19.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $41,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, Moline, IL, offers a median annual salary of $40,658 for sterile processing technicians, positioning local pay below the national median of $47,724. The pay range extends from $31,488 at the lower end (P10) to $56,342 for top earners (P90), reflecting both the demand for skilled technicians and the economic landscape in Illinois. Based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional specifics, these figures highlight the effects of shift differentials and the need for critical roles during evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers, often compensated at a premium for their importance to hospital operations. The competitive job market for sterile processing technicians in Moline indicates a structured hierarchy in compensation, essential for attracting talent in this crucial field of healthcare.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,488 | $15.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,888 | $16.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,658 | $19.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,313 | $23.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,342 | $27.09 |
Median Salary Position
14.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,854 (2026 est.). At $40,658, the local median is 14.81% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moline Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Moline median: $40,658/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,070 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -14.81% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Moline, IL earn a median of $40,658 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.81% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,070.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline 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.
Moline, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,658 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,621
2025 BLS Actual
$39,012
2026 Current Est.
$40,658
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,621 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,259 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,033 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,012 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,658 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,374 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,621 (2019) to $39,012 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,374 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,753 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $31,488 – $33,888 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,888 – $40,658 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,658 – $49,313 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,313 – $56,342 |
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 Moline
Analyzing the job market context reveals a modest pool of 10 employed sterile processing technicians in Moline, suggesting limited local competition for open roles. The cost-of-living index in the area stands at 97.1, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national average, they can still provide reasonable purchasing power given local economic conditions. Top employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers tend to offer better compensation packages, particularly for technicians who hold multiple certifications like CRCST and CIS, or those who take on supervisory roles. Factors influencing the disparity in salaries involve shift differentials and specialized credential stacks; focusing on earning advanced certifications can significantly enhance pay potential. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for current and aspiring sterile processing technicians to maximize their income in Moline's market.
More salary data for Moline, 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 $39,012 for sterile processing techniciansin the Moline 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 Moline 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