Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Chicopee, MA: $49,459 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Chicopee, MA earns a median $49,459/year (≈ $23.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Chicopee's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Massachusetts state average.

$49,459
Median Annual Salary
$23.78/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,351
Entry Level (P10)
$74,345
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Chicopee, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Chicopee, MA sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Chicopee, Massachusetts, can expect a median annual salary of $49,459, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $47,724. The local market reveals a salary range from $36,351 at the 10th percentile to $74,345 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential based on experience and additional credentials. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, providing a tailored overview of the compensation landscape. The shift to a credential-required hiring model that took shape after 2021 continues to influence pay in the sterile processing field. As Chicopee's healthcare facilities adapt to these changes, job seekers with certifications—particularly in multiple specialties—are likely to find more opportunities for advancement and higher pay.

About the Chicopee Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,351$17.48
Lower Range (P25)$39,845$19.16
Median (P50)(typical)$49,459$23.78
Upper Range (P75)$60,153$28.92
Top Earners (P90)$74,345$35.75

Median Salary Position

$36,351$74,345
City Median: $49,459
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

3.64% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chicopee

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Chicopee. The median salary is $49,459, compared to the national median of $47,724.$32.7K$44.1K$55.4K$66.7K$78.1K$36.4K10th Pctl$39.8K25th Pctl$49.5KMedian$60.2K75th Pctl$74.3K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Chicopee, MA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,994 (2026 est.). At $49,459, the local median is 3.64% above the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Chicopee metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$951
per week
$4,122
per month
$49,469
per year

At 40 hours/week in Chicopee: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Chicopee Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Chicopee median: $49,459/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryChicopee Pays
Massachusetts Average$49,707-0.50% less
National Average$47,724+3.64% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Chicopee ($49,459) with Massachusetts average ($49,707) and the US national median ($47,724).Chicopee$49,459Massachusetts Avg$49,707-0.50%US National$47,724+3.64%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Chicopee, MA earn a median of $49,459 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,707.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$49,459
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$45,584
Adjusted Salary

Chicopee has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $49,459. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $45,584, a loss of $3,875.$38.7K$43.3K$47.8K$52.3K$56.9K$49,459NominalSalary$45,584CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $47.7K

Chicopee, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,459 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,584 — a 7.83% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$37,248

2025 BLS Actual

$47,456

2026 Current Est.

$49,459

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Chicopee (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Chicopee. Baseline $37,248 in 2025, projected to $51,546 by 2027.$33.0K$40.4K$47.8K$55.1K$62.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.2K$38.6K$38.0K$41.3K$45.0K$58.3K$47.5K$49.5K$51.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,248Actual
2020$38,602Actual
2021$38,024Actual
2022$41,268Actual
2023$45,048Actual
2024$58,294Actual
2025$47,456Actual
2026(current)$49,459Estimated
2027$51,546Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chicopee metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $37,248 (2019) to $47,456 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,546 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,298 (38.39%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicopee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$36,351$39,845
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,845$49,459
5+ years (Experienced)$49,459$60,153
10+ years (Top Earner)$60,153$74,345

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 Chicopee

The job market in Chicopee currently employs 10 sterile processing technicians, highlighting a concentrated yet niche sector within the healthcare industry. With a cost-of-living index at 108.5, the local economy presents some challenges to purchasing power, making competitive salaries crucial for attracting skilled professionals. Among employers, hospital sterile processing departments tend to offer the highest pay, especially for those with qualifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER. Factors influencing the salary spread include shift differentials tied to evening and overnight hours, as well as specialized roles within trauma centers or surgical settings that may command higher wages. For individuals looking to maximize their pay in this environment, accumulating a range of credentials and considering roles in higher-paying facilities—like ambulatory surgery centers or larger dental practices—can be effective strategies for enhancing their earning potential in the sterile processing technician career track.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Chicopee, MA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Chicopee is $49,459/year ($23.78/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,351 at entry level (10th percentile) to $74,345 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Chicopee at 3.6% above the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Chicopee, MA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Chicopee sterile processing technician salaries are 3.6% above the national average and 0.5% below the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 10 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Chicopee?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Chicopee is $49,459, and the 90th percentile earns $74,345. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Chicopee?

After adjusting for Chicopee's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $49,459 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $45,584 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Chicopee reduce the effective value of your salary by 7.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Chicopee?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Chicopee earn a median hourly rate of $23.78, which translates to approximately $49,459/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.48 for entry-level positions to $35.75 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Massachusetts

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 $47,456 for sterile processing techniciansin the Chicopee 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 Chicopee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: