Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bloomington, IN: $44,903 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bloomington, IN earns a median $44,903/year (≈ $21.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $47,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Bloomington, Indiana, is estimated at $44,903 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. With a salary range spanning from $36,658 at the lower tenth percentile to $57,429 at the ninetieth percentile, the compensation for this role reflects the significant demand and specialized skills required in the field. Effective tray turnover during evening and overnight shifts can drive pay differentials, as employers often offer higher compensation for these less desirable hours. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. The number of sterile processing technicians employed in Bloomington—around 50—indicates a stable job market, making this a compelling option for those seeking careers in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,658 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,903 | $21.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,554 | $22.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,429 | $27.62 |
Median Salary Position
5.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,771 (2026 est.). At $44,903, the local median is 5.91% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $44,903/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $45,084 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -5.91% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $44,903 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.91% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% below the Indiana state average of $45,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 4.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.084 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,903 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$33,818
2025 BLS Actual
$43,085
2026 Current Est.
$44,903
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,818 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,522 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,467 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,085 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,903 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,798 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,818 (2019) to $43,085 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,798 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,980 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $36,658 – $40,060 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,060 – $44,903 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,903 – $46,554 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,554 – $57,429 |
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 Bloomington
Analyzing the local job market for sterile processing technicians reveals both opportunities and challenges. With a cost-of-living index of 95.084, salaries in Bloomington may stretch further compared to many larger metropolitan areas, enhancing purchasing power despite a lower salary baseline. Major employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer the most lucrative positions. Factors influencing the pay gap include shift differentials, certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the nature of the employer—hospitals often pay more than surgery centers. Maximizing earning potential in this market involves pursuing advanced credentials and considering positions that offer supervisory roles or work in trauma centers, where complexity and responsibility typically yield higher compensation. Staying up-to-date with post-2021 credential requirements will also aid in securing better pay in Bloomington IN's evolving healthcare employment landscape.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Bloomington, IN in 2026?
Is Bloomington, IN a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Bloomington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Bloomington?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Bloomington?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $43,085 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bloomington 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, 3-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