Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Coralville, IA: $38,542 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Coralville, IA earns a median $38,542/year (≈ $18.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $42,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Coralville, Iowa, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $38,542, representing a significant entry point into this specialized field. Those at the lower end of the pay scale can earn around $30,586, while experienced individuals in the top 10 percent may reach salaries as high as $54,865. These figures are reflective of local market conditions and adjusted for the regional cost of living. With the rising emphasis on credentialing, including the growing importance of endoscope reprocessing (CER), Coralville's pay structure for sterile processing technicians is uniquely positioned to adapt to evolving industry standards and patient care demands, attracting increasingly qualified candidates.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,586 | $14.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,354 | $15.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,542 | $18.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44,995 | $21.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,865 | $26.38 |
Median Salary Position
19.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,279 (2026 est.). At $38,542, the local median is 19.24% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Coralville median: $38,542/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,527 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -19.24% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Coralville, IA earn a median of $38,542 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.24% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $40,527.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,542 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,635 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,027
2025 BLS Actual
$36,981
2026 Current Est.
$38,542
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Coralville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,027 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,081 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,631 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,159 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,834 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,981 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,542 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,027 (2019) to $36,981 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,141 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $30,586 – $32,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,354 – $38,542 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,542 – $44,995 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $44,995 – $54,865 |
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 Coralville
The local job market for sterile processing technicians is comparatively stable, with only six technicians currently employed in Coralville. The area's cost of living index sits at 90.4, indicating that housing and everyday expenses are lower than the national average, which enhances the practical value of the annual salary. Salaries may vary widely among different employers, with hospital sterile processing departments generally offering the highest pay, followed closely by specialty surgical centers and ambulatory surgery centers. The divergence in salaries can be attributed to factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work, the value of additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the potential for supervisory roles in larger facilities. To maximize earning potential, technicians should consider pursuing multiple credentials and negotiating for evening shifts or roles in trauma centers, which can command higher wages in the Coralville IA market.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Coralville?
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Career Resources
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 $36,981 for sterile processing techniciansin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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