Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Boston, MA: $60,871 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Boston, MA earns a median $60,871/year (≈ $29.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $56,224 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.5% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, sterile processing technicians can expect a median salary of $60,871 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a premium for the region's higher cost of living. Salary ranges for these technicians in the city span from $47,185 at the lower end (P10) to $77,170 at the upper end (P90), indicative of varying roles and responsibilities within the profession. Salary dynamics in Boston can be influenced by shift differentials, with evening and overnight surgical tray turnover often driving compensation levels higher. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projecting a promising outlook for technicians in this vibrant city, where employment opportunities are expected to grow alongside healthcare demands.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,185 | $22.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,265 | $24.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,871 | $29.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,773 | $31.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,170 | $37.10 |
Median Salary Position
27.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,985 (2026 est.). At $60,871, the local median is 27.55% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Boston Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Boston median: $60,871/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $49,690 | +22.50% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +27.55% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Boston, MA earn a median of $60,871 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.55% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 22.50% above the Massachusetts state average of $49,690.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,871 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,224 — a 7.63% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,220
2025 BLS Actual
$58,406
2026 Current Est.
$60,871
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,930 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,871 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,439 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 16.3% from $50,220 (2019) to $58,406 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,439 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,219 (26.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $47,185 – $50,265 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,265 – $60,871 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,871 – $64,773 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,773 – $77,170 |
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 Boston
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Boston occupies a strong position, with approximately 1,310 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index at 108.266 indicates that earning potential must be viewed in light of living expenses, affecting overall purchasing power. Employers in hospital sterile processing departments typically offer higher wages, especially for roles that require a multi-credential stack, such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The disparity in pay largely arises from the impact of shift differentials, specialty certifications, and the settings in which technicians operate. Those pursuing positions within trauma centers or leadership roles can expect to enhance their earning potential further. To maximize pay in this competitive Boston market, obtaining multiple certifications and seeking employment with high-demand healthcare facilities can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
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 $58,406 for sterile processing techniciansin the Boston 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