Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Malden, MA: $49,868 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Malden, MA earns a median $49,868/year (≈ $23.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Malden's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average.

$49,868
Median Annual Salary
$23.97/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,316
Entry Level (P10)
$72,623
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Malden, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician is $49,868 in 2026, reflecting a competitive market amid the credential-required shift in hiring practices that began in 2021. This salary places Malden slightly above the national median of $47,724, offering a range that spans from $37,316 at the lowest percentile to $72,623 at the highest. These figures are based on estimations derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local regional cost variations. Given the growing emphasis on credentialing, such as the HSPA certifications, this salary trend underscores the increasing value placed on formal training and professional qualifications within the sterile processing field.

About the Malden Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$37,316$17.94
Lower Range (P25)$40,673$19.55
Median (P50)(typical)$49,868$23.97
Upper Range (P75)$61,148$29.40
Top Earners (P90)$72,623$34.91

Median Salary Position

$37,316$72,623
City Median: $49,868
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

4.49% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Malden

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Malden. The median salary is $49,868, compared to the national median of $47,724.$33.6K$44.3K$54.9K$65.6K$76.3K$37.3K10th Pctl$40.7K25th Pctl$49.9KMedian$61.1K75th Pctl$72.6K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Malden, MA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,307 (2026 est.). At $49,868, the local median is 4.49% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$959
per week
$4,155
per month
$49,859
per year

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

How Malden Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Malden median: $49,868/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMalden Pays
Massachusetts Average$49,719+0.30% more
National Average$47,724+4.49% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Malden ($49,868) with Massachusetts average ($49,719) and the US national median ($47,724).Malden$49,868Massachusetts Avg$49,719+0.30%US National$47,724+4.49%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Malden, MA earn a median of $49,868 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.49% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% above the Massachusetts state average of $49,719.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$49,868
Nominal Salary
108.5
CoL Index
$45,961
Adjusted Salary

Malden 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 $49,868. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 108.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $45,961, a loss of $3,907.$39.1K$43.6K$48.2K$52.8K$57.3K$49,868NominalSalary$45,961CoL Adjusted(CoL: 108.5) -7.83%US Median $47.7K

Malden, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,868 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,961 — a 7.83% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$37,557

2025 BLS Actual

$47,849

2026 Current Est.

$49,868

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Malden (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 Malden. Baseline $37,557 in 2025, projected to $51,973 by 2027.$33.3K$40.7K$48.2K$55.6K$63.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.6K$38.9K$38.3K$41.6K$45.4K$58.8K$47.8K$49.9K$52.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,557Actual
2020$38,921Actual
2021$38,339Actual
2022$41,610Actual
2023$45,421Actual
2024$58,777Actual
2025$47,849Actual
2026(current)$49,868Estimated
2027$51,973Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Malden metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $37,557 (2019) to $47,849 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,973 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,416 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Malden 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)$37,316$40,673
3-5 years (Mid Career)$40,673$49,868
5+ years (Experienced)$49,868$61,148
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,148$72,623

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 Malden

The local workforce comprises approximately 15 sterile processing technicians, indicating a focused market in Malden. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 108.5, these conditions suggest that take-home pay may feel stretched but still offers reasonable purchasing power when compared to regional living expenses. Hospitals tend to offer the highest sterile processing technician pay in Malden, particularly those within trauma centers, which often require more specialized training and experience. Variations in salary can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight hours, the breadth of credential stacking (including CRCST, CIS, and CER), and leadership roles that may command higher pay. Technicians aiming to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining multiple credentials, seeking positions in high-demand settings like surgical centers, or pursuing roles that require on-call availability, which can lead to increased compensation opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Malden is $49,868/year ($23.97/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,316 at entry level (10th percentile) to $72,623 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Malden at 4.5% 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 Malden, MA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Malden sterile processing technician salaries are 4.5% above the national average and 0.3% above the Massachusetts state average. The metro area employs approximately 15 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 Malden?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Malden is $49,868, and the 90th percentile earns $72,623. 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 Malden?

After adjusting for Malden's cost-of-living index of 108.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $49,868 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $45,961 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Malden 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 Malden?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Malden earn a median hourly rate of $23.97, which translates to approximately $49,868/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.94 for entry-level positions to $34.91 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 $47,849 for sterile processing techniciansin the Malden 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 Malden 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

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