Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Maryland: $48,680 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $48,680/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,538 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Aspen Hill ($48,715), Gaithersburg ($48,399), Germantown ($48,365).
In Maryland, sterile processing technicians can expect an average median salary of $48,680 in 2026, which is above the national median of $47,724, reflecting a 2.0% increase. The salaries across the state show some variation, with the highest paying city being Aspen Hill at $50,771, while technicians in Cumberland earn the lowest average at $46,350. This salary gap of $4,421 can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the presence of medical institutions. Maryland has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect job roles and responsibilities for sterile processing technicians. The demand for these professionals is driven by the expansion of healthcare facilities and the essential role they play in ensuring the safety of surgical instruments and procedures. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%, the job market for sterile processing technicians in Maryland is on an upward trajectory, reflecting the ongoing need for skilled healthcare workers in the state. As of the latest data, there are 1,019 sterile processing technicians employed in Maryland, indicating a healthy level of job security and opportunity in this field.
Maryland Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $33,307 (lowest entry-level) to $73,782 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland sterile processing technicians earn 2.00% more than the national median (+$956/year difference).
Maryland Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Maryland range from $34,759 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $63,977 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $48,680. The Maryland median is $956 above the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $23.40/hr. Approximately 1,019 sterile processing technicians are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,834
2025 BLS Actual
$46,709
2026 Current Est.
$48,680
2019–2027 Growth
+27.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Maryland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,872 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,124 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,505 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,607 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,709 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,680 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,735 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 17.3% from $39,834 (2019) to $46,709 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,735 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,901 (27.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cumberland | $46,350 |
| Greenbelt | $47,412 |
| Laurel | $47,569 |
| Hagerstown | $47,655 |
| Catonsville | $47,810 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $47,655 | 94.171 | $50,605 |
| Aspen Hill | $50,771 | 109.3 | $46,451 |
| Baltimore | $48,535 | 104.487 | $46,451 |
| Gaithersburg | $50,441 | 109.3 | $46,149 |
| Germantown | $50,406 | 109.3 | $46,117 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,759 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $48,680 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $63,977 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aspen Hill | $50,771 |
| 2 | Gaithersburg | $50,441 |
| 3 | Germantown | $50,406 |
| 4 | Ellicott City | $50,290 |
| 5 | Waldorf | $50,239 |
| 6 | Wheaton | $50,068 |
| 7 | Bowie | $49,831 |
| 8 | Glen Burnie | $49,676 |
| 9 | Columbia | $49,411 |
| 10 | Frederick | $48,990 |
| 11 | Annapolis | $48,979 |
| 12 | Severn | $48,978 |
| 13 | College Park | $48,882 |
| 14 | Rockville | $48,820 |
| 15 | Silver Spring | $48,796 |
| 16 | Salisbury | $48,703 |
| 17 | Potomac | $48,563 |
| 18 | Baltimore | $48,535 |
| 19 | Bethesda | $48,367 |
| 20 | Dundalk | $48,367 |
| 21 | Towson | $48,347 |
| 22 | Odenton | $48,202 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $47,810 |
| 24 | Hagerstown | $47,655 |
| 25 | Laurel | $47,569 |
| 26 | Greenbelt | $47,412 |
| 27 | Cumberland | $46,350 |
More Maryland Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Maryland cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Maryland?
How does Maryland sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Maryland?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 sterile processing technician compensation across Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more sterile processing technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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