Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Sioux City, IA: $42,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Sioux City, IA earns a median $42,452/year (≈ $20.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $49,104 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, the compensation for sterile processing technicians sees a median annual salary of $42,452, which reflects a noticeable gap of 11.05% below the national average of $47,724. The salary spectrum ranges from $38,359 at the 10th percentile to $50,286 at the 90th percentile, offering room for potentially significant earnings based on experience and specialization. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a steady demand for skilled professionals in the field. A growing emphasis on credentialing, particularly in areas such as endoscope reprocessing (CER), adds a premium value to these positions and suggests an evolving job market in Sioux City.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,359 | $18.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,452 | $20.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,884 | $22.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,286 | $24.17 |
Median Salary Position
11.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,927 (2026 est.). At $42,452, the local median is 11.05% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $42,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,508 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -11.05% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $42,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.05% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.80% above the Iowa state average of $40,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 86.454 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $42,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,104 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,972
2025 BLS Actual
$40,733
2026 Current Est.
$42,452
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,972 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,133 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,638 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,733 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,972 (2019) to $40,733 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,271 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux 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) | $38,359 – $40,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,090 – $42,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,452 – $46,884 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,884 – $50,286 |
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 Sioux City
With approximately 40 sterile processing technicians currently employed in the Sioux City area, the local job market remains stable despite the pay scale lagging behind the national average. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 86.454, further influences take-home pay, presenting technicians with greater purchasing power than might be available in more expensive regions. Medical facilities such as major hospitals typically offer higher wages compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical practices. The variation in pay often correlates with experience levels, especially for those with specialized credentials like CRCST or CIS, and positions that require evening or weekend shifts. To enhance earning potential, local technicians might consider pursuing additional certifications or gain experience in roles that involve supervisory responsibilities, as these avenues often lead to higher compensation within the market.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
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 $40,733 for sterile processing techniciansin the Sioux 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, 4-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