Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Rockford, IL: $44,562 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Rockford, IL earns a median $44,562/year (≈ $21.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Rockford's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $48,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Illinois state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Rockford, Illinois, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $44,562, which is slightly lower than the national median of $47,724. The salary spectrum ranges from $37,539 at the 10th percentile to $57,460 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy variability in compensation across different settings within the field. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the growing complexity in sterile processing roles, particularly those specializing in endoscope reprocessing (CER), which comes with a premium due to the additional training and knowledge required. As the demand for skilled technicians increases, the job market in Rockford continues to evolve, highlighting the importance of specialized credentials and expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,539 | $18.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,289 | $18.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,562 | $21.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,084 | $22.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,460 | $27.63 |
Median Salary Position
6.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rockford
In Rockford, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,921 (2026 est.). At $44,562, the local median is 6.63% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rockford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rockford Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Rockford median: $44,562/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rockford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,055 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.63% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Rockford, IL earn a median of $44,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.63% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.50% above the Illinois state average of $43,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rockford has a cost of living 7.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rockford, IL has a cost-of-living index of 92.154 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,562 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.51% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,220
2025 BLS Actual
$42,758
2026 Current Est.
$44,562
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,758 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,562 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rockford metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 21.4% from $35,220 (2019) to $42,758 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,223 (31.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rockford 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) | $37,539 – $38,289 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,289 – $44,562 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,562 – $46,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,084 – $57,460 |
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 Rockford
The local job market shows a positive outlook for sterile processing technicians, with around 90 professionals currently employed in Rockford. Given the cost-of-living index at 92.154, wages for these technicians afford a comfortable lifestyle despite being below the national average. Hospitals typically offer the highest pay among employers, particularly those with specialized surgical services or trauma center designations, followed closely by ambulatory surgery centers and contractual sterile processing service providers. Factors influencing the earnings range include shift differentials for evening and overnight work, skill certifications such as CRCST and CIS, and supervisory roles that command higher pay. To maximize income potential, technicians in Rockford should focus on obtaining multiple credentials and pursuing opportunities within high-paying facilities, while staying informed about evolving state registration laws to enhance employability.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 $42,758 for sterile processing techniciansin the Rockford 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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