Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Oak Lawn, IL: $41,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Oak Lawn, IL earns a median $41,966/year (≈ $20.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Oak Lawn's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $43,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the earnings for sterile processing technicians in Oak Lawn, Illinois, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $41,966, reflecting the critical role they play, especially in endoscope reprocessing. With a salary range spanning from $32,638 at the 10th percentile to $61,344 at the 90th percentile, these figures underscore both the entry-level and advanced earning potential within the field. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, providing an insightful view into the local market. In a city like Oak Lawn, the demand for specialized skills such as those found in sterile processing highlights numerous job opportunities for trained technicians who meet the rising standards for certification and state registration.
About the Oak Lawn Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,638 | $15.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,366 | $16.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,966 | $20.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,596 | $24.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,344 | $29.49 |
Median Salary Position
12.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Lawn
In Oak Lawn, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,706 (2026 est.). At $41,966, the local median is 12.07% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Lawn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Lawn Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Oak Lawn median: $41,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Lawn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,087 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -12.07% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Oak Lawn, IL earn a median of $41,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.60% below the Illinois state average of $43,087.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Lawn 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.
Oak Lawn, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $41,966 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,606
2025 BLS Actual
$40,267
2026 Current Est.
$41,966
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Oak Lawn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,754 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,264 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,016 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,524 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,267 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,737 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Lawn metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,606 (2019) to $40,267 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,131 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Lawn 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) | $32,638 – $34,366 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,366 – $41,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,966 – $51,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,596 – $61,344 |
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 Oak Lawn
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Oak Lawn shows a solid presence, with 14 employed professionals in the area. Given the cost of living index of 97.1, workers find their purchasing power is quite favorable, making the sterile processing technician salary in Oak Lawn appealing relative to expenses. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments offer competitive wages, while specialty surgical centers and third-party service providers may vary in compensation depending on their operational scope. Pay disparities often stem from factors like shift differentials for evening or overnight work, the accumulation of advanced certifications such as CRCST + CIS + CER, and roles in trauma centers that elevate responsibilities. To maximize earning potential in this market, technicians should focus on obtaining relevant credentials and seeking positions that offer shift flexibility and opportunities for advancement.
More salary data for Oak Lawn, 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 $40,267 for sterile processing techniciansin the Oak Lawn 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 Oak Lawn 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