Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Columbus, IN: $44,422 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Columbus, IN earns a median $44,422/year (≈ $21.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $48,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician salary in Columbus, IN is projected to be around $44,422 annually, which falls below the national median of $47,724. The pay scale for this role ranges from $34,450 at the lower ten percent to $61,282 for those at the upper end of the spectrum. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, indicate that the field is growing steadily, with an annual growth rate of 4.22%. The low end of this spectrum highlights the potential earnings as technicians with less specialized certification or those in less demanding roles, while the higher end reflects the compensation that comes with more experience, certification stacking (CRCST + CIS + CER), and specialties such as endoscope reprocessing, which is increasingly in demand due to rising scope-related infection concerns in healthcare.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,450 | $16.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,921 | $17.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,422 | $21.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,886 | $25.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,282 | $29.46 |
Median Salary Position
6.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, IN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,832 (2026 est.). At $44,422, the local median is 6.92% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Columbus median: $44,422/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $45,098 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.92% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Columbus, IN earn a median of $44,422 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.92% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% below the Indiana state average of $45,098.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,422 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,455
2025 BLS Actual
$42,623
2026 Current Est.
$44,422
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,455 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,152 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,065 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,461 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,783 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,422 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,455 (2019) to $42,623 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,841 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $34,450 – $36,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,921 – $44,422 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,422 – $52,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,886 – $61,282 |
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 Columbus
Currently, Columbus employs only nine sterile processing technicians, suggesting a niche job market where opportunities may depend heavily on specific credentials and experience. With a cost of living index of 91.3, the take-home salaries for sterile processing technicians are relatively favorable in this region, allowing for a decent purchasing power. The best-paying employers in Columbus usually include hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, while those working in third-party sterile processing services may offer competitive pay as well. Factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight shifts, relevant specialty credentials, and advancement to supervisory roles can create substantial pay differentiation. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in Columbus, focusing on obtaining advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties will be essential in a competitive local market.
More salary data for Columbus, IN:
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 $42,623 for sterile processing techniciansin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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