Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Iowa City, IA: $39,190 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Iowa City, IA earns a median $39,190/year (≈ $18.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $42,826 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Iowa City are projected to earn a median annual salary of $39,190, which contrasts with the national median of $47,724, indicating a significant difference in compensation. The salary range for this role is estimated between $39,190 and $51,557, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The earnings can fluctuate based on various factors, including shift differentials which often come into play for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover. As a key aspect of the healthcare support system, understanding how much do sterile processing technicians make in Iowa City can provide insights into the job market while highlighting the essential skills and certifications—such as CRCST and advanced credential stacking—that enhance earning potential in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,190 | $18.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,557 | $24.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,557 | $24.78 |
Median Salary Position
17.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,367 (2026 est.). At $39,190, the local median is 17.88% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Iowa City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $39,190/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,527 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -17.88% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $39,190 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.88% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.30% below the Iowa state average of $40,527.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City has a cost of living 8.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 91.509 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $39,190 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,826 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.28% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,515
2025 BLS Actual
$37,603
2026 Current Est.
$39,190
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Iowa City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,515 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,587 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,603 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,190 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,844 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,515 (2019) to $37,603 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,844 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,329 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $39,190 – $39,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,190 – $39,190 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,190 – $51,557 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,557 – $51,557 |
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 Iowa City
The local job market for sterile processing technicians is robust, with approximately 150 individuals currently employed in this field in Iowa City. The cost of living index, at 91.509, illustrates that take-home pay can stretch further compared to many other regions, even though salaries appear lower than the national averages. Employers in Iowa City—ranging from hospital sterile processing departments to specialty surgical centers—vary significantly in salary offerings. Factors driving the pay scale include shift differentials for late hours, the need for specialized certifications like CRCST + CIS + CER, and the work environment itself, whether in high-pressure trauma centers or outpatient surgical settings. To maximize pay, technicians should consider pursuing additional credentials and gaining experience in high-demand specialties, thereby attracting better compensation opportunities throughout Iowa City, IA.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Iowa City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Iowa City?
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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 $37,603 for sterile processing techniciansin the Iowa City 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, 5-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