Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Arlington, MA: $48,969 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Arlington, MA earns a median $48,969/year (≈ $23.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,133 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in Arlington, Massachusetts, is set at $48,969, which indicates a competitive market compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this profession spans from $37,957 at the 10th percentile to $67,653 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and expertise. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight the significant investment Arlington has made in staffing skilled technicians for its healthcare facilities post-2021, following the shift to credential-required hiring practices. This positive trend fosters career stability and growth in the area, signaling a robust demand for qualified professionals in sterile processing.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,957 | $18.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,686 | $19.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,969 | $23.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,268 | $28.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,653 | $32.53 |
Median Salary Position
2.61% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,696 (2026 est.). At $48,969, the local median is 2.61% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Arlington median: $48,969/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $49,715 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +2.61% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Arlington, MA earn a median of $48,969 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.61% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,715.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,969 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,133 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,880
2025 BLS Actual
$46,986
2026 Current Est.
$48,969
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,219 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,648 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,859 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,602 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,969 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,035 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $36,880 (2019) to $46,986 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,035 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,155 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $37,957 – $40,686 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,686 – $48,969 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,969 – $59,268 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,268 – $67,653 |
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 Arlington
In Arlington, a local workforce of nine sterile processing technicians signals a niche but significant presence in the healthcare job market. The area’s cost-of-living index of 108.5 suggests that, while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power can be challenged by higher living expenses. Employers that tend to offer the best compensation include hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, which prioritize experience and specialty certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The disparity in pay across positions can also be influenced by factors like evening and overnight shift differentials, which provide opportunities for higher earnings. To maximize pay, technicians should consider further credential stacking and pursuing roles in trauma centers, where demand and compensation align with advanced skills and responsibilities. Engaging in continuous education through HSPA resources not only enhances skill sets but positions technicians favorably within the Arlington MA job market.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $46,986 for sterile processing techniciansin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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