Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lexington, KY: $47,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lexington, KY earns a median $47,174/year (≈ $22.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $50,785 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.3% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the sterile processing technician salary in Lexington, Kentucky, is projected to be approximately $47,174, reflecting the changing landscape where credential-required hiring has become the standard since 2021. This figure falls within a salary range from $37,519 at the lower end (P10) to $56,699 for those at the higher end (P90), according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. As this market adapts to the new credentialing requirements, including the need for certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, local salaries remain competitive, albeit slightly below the national median of $47,724. This trend suggests a dedicated effort from employers to attract qualified candidates while maintaining a focus on quality and compliance in sterile processing departments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,519 | $18.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,174 | $22.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,345 | $23.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,699 | $27.26 |
Median Salary Position
1.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, KY, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,180 (2026 est.). At $47,174, the local median is 1.15% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be above the median
How Lexington Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lexington median: $47,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $40,914 | +15.30% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -1.15% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lexington, KY earn a median of $47,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.15% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 15.30% above the Kentucky state average of $40,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 7.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, KY has a cost-of-living index of 92.889 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $47,174 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,785 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,390
2025 BLS Actual
$45,264
2026 Current Est.
$47,174
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,410 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,264 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 31.6% from $34,390 (2019) to $45,264 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,775 (42.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $37,519 – $38,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,980 – $47,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,174 – $48,345 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,345 – $56,699 |
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 Lexington
Analyzing the local job market reveals that approximately 250 sterile processing technicians are employed in Lexington, KY, giving a clear indication of the demand for skilled professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 92.889, workers can find their take-home pay stretches a bit further in Lexington compared to pricier urban centers. Major employers, including hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, are among the top payers. Variance in compensation is influenced by factors such as shift differentials, specialized credential stacking, and the designation of facilities, like trauma centers. To maximize earnings, individuals should consider obtaining multiple certifications and exploring evening or overnight shifts, which often come with additional pay. This strategic approach will help technicians increase their overall compensation and leverage the evolving job market in Lexington effectively.
More salary data for Lexington, KY:
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 $45,264 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lexington 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, 7-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