Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Ann Arbor, MI: $50,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Ann Arbor, MI earns a median $50,056/year (≈ $24.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Ann Arbor's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $49,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected earnings for sterile processing technicians in Ann Arbor, Michigan, are estimated to reach a median annual salary of $50,056. With a salary range stretching from $40,260 at the 10th percentile to $50,056 at the 90th percentile, this city's compensation is notably higher than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a 4.89% premium. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrate the impact of the recent shift toward credential-required hiring since 2021 within sterile processing roles. This evolution is shaping the job market in Ann Arbor, and it may attract candidates seeking stable careers in healthcare.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,705 | $23.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,056 | $24.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,056 | $24.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,056 | $24.06 |
Median Salary Position
4.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ann Arbor
In Ann Arbor, MI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $9,796 (2026 est.). At $50,056, the local median is 4.89% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ann Arbor: You'd be in the top 10% of earners
How Ann Arbor Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Ann Arbor median: $50,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ann Arbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $45,755 | +9.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +4.89% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Ann Arbor, MI earn a median of $50,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.89% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 9.40% above the Michigan state average of $45,755.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ann Arbor has a cost of living 0.88% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ann Arbor, MI has a cost-of-living index of 100.88 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,056 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $49,619 — a 0.87% 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
$43,760
2025 BLS Actual
$48,029
2026 Current Est.
$50,056
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Ann Arbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,029 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,168 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ann Arbor metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 9.8% from $43,760 (2019) to $48,029 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,168 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,408 (19.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ann Arbor 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) | $40,260 – $48,705 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,705 – $50,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,056 – $50,056 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,056 – $50,056 |
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 Ann Arbor
Working as a sterile processing technician in Ann Arbor offers competitive salary prospects within a relatively robust job market, with approximately 230 individuals currently employed in this capacity. The cost of living index sits at 100.88, slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home purchasing power. Local employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers typically provide higher compensation packages, potentially influenced by factors like shift differentials for evening or overnight work and the complexity of surgical tray turnover. Technicians who hold multiple credentials, including CRCST, CIS, and CER, or those in supervisory roles, can command higher wages. To boost earning potential in this market, focusing on obtaining specialty certifications, pursuing roles in trauma centers, and building experience in fast-paced environments can be effective strategies for technicians.
More salary data for Ann Arbor, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Ann Arbor, MI in 2026?
Is Ann Arbor, MI a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Ann Arbor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Ann Arbor?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Ann Arbor?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 $48,029 for sterile processing techniciansin the Ann Arbor 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