Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Needham, MA: $48,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Needham, MA earns a median $48,842/year (≈ $23.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Needham's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $45,016 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Needham, Massachusetts, can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,842 in 2026, reflecting a competitive rate compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for local professionals spans from $37,594 at the 10th percentile to $68,805 at the 90th percentile. These figures, projected based on 2025 BLS data, take into account the regional cost adjustments and the unique demand for specialized skills within the area. Factors like shift differentials, particularly for evening and overnight coverage of surgical tray turnover, can significantly influence compensation for sterile processing technicians in Needham’s healthcare facilities, which include hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers.
About the Needham Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,594 | $18.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,424 | $19.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,842 | $23.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,980 | $28.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,805 | $33.08 |
Median Salary Position
2.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Needham
In Needham, MA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,211 (2026 est.). At $48,842, the local median is 2.34% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Needham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Needham Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Needham median: $48,842/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Needham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $49,686 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +2.34% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Needham, MA earn a median of $48,842 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.34% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $49,686.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Needham has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Needham, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,842 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,016 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,784
2025 BLS Actual
$46,864
2026 Current Est.
$48,842
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Needham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,784 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,753 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,486 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,567 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Needham metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $36,784 (2019) to $46,864 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,119 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham 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) | $37,594 – $40,424 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,424 – $48,842 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,842 – $58,980 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,980 – $68,805 |
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 Needham
With only six sterile processing technicians employed in Needham, the local market remains tight, creating opportunities for those skilled in the profession. The cost of living index at 108.5 underscores the necessity for competitive salaries to maintain purchasing power in this region. Among local employers, hospitals often provide the most lucrative salaries due to the complexity of procedures handled, which may include endoscope reprocessing—a growing specialty in the field owing to rising litigation concerns. The pay variance can also be attributed to credential stacking; technicians with certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER tend to command higher wages. For those entering the job market, pursuing advanced certifications and gaining experience in high-demand settings like trauma centers can lead to better pay prospects in Needham, MA.
More salary data for Needham, 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 $46,864 for sterile processing techniciansin the Needham 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 Needham 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