Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Dodge City, KS: $39,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Dodge City, KS earns a median $39,400/year (≈ $18.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Dodge City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $43,344 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dodge City, Kansas, sterile processing technicians can expect a median annual salary of $39,400 in 2026, reflecting local market conditions and cost-of-living adjustments. The salary range for this occupation extends from $31,174 at the lower end (P10) to $55,180 for those at the higher end of the spectrum (P90). This compensation level is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724, highlighting the particular financial dynamics at play in smaller urban areas like Dodge City. As healthcare facilities increasingly recognize the importance of endoscope reprocessing (CER), those with specialized skills may find that their expertise commands higher wages, further influencing the overall salary landscape for sterile processing technicians in the region.
About the Dodge City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,204 | $15.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,400 | $18.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,292 | $22.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,180 | $26.52 |
Median Salary Position
17.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dodge City
In Dodge City, KS, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,006 (2026 est.). At $39,400, the local median is 17.44% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dodge City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dodge City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Dodge City median: $39,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dodge City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $41,649 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -17.44% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Dodge City, KS earn a median of $39,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.44% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.40% below the Kansas state average of $41,649.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dodge City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dodge City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $39,400 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,344 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,673
2025 BLS Actual
$37,805
2026 Current Est.
$39,400
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Dodge City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,673 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,751 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,292 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,875 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,887 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,399 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,063 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dodge City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,673 (2019) to $37,805 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,390 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dodge 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) | $31,174 – $33,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,204 – $39,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,400 – $47,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,292 – $55,180 |
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 Dodge City
Navigating the job market as a sterile processing technician in Dodge City involves understanding the local dynamics that shape compensation. Currently, only five technicians are employed in this area, indicating a niche market with a competitive edge. The cost of living index stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power in Dodge City can still be appealing. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers typically offer the highest pay. The disparity in compensation can arise from factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight roles, advanced credential stacking (e.g., CRCST, CIS, CER), and the incorporation of supervisory positions. To maximize earnings, technicians may consider furthering their qualifications and acquiring multiple certifications and staying informed about opportunities in high-demand settings, especially given the ongoing evolution in certification requirements and growing focus on endoscope reprocessing.
More salary data for Dodge City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Dodge 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 $37,805 for sterile processing techniciansin the Dodge 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
Salary data for Dodge City 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