Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Kalamazoo, MI: $43,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Kalamazoo, MI earns a median $43,272/year (≈ $20.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Kalamazoo's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.8), that paycheck buys what $45,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is projected to be $43,272, which reflects a competitive position relative to other regions. Salary ranges from a low of $36,839 to a high of $58,269 showcase the potential for career advancement within this field, particularly for those who specialize in endoscope reprocessing, a rapidly growing area due to heightened scrutiny over infection control. These figures derive from the latest data based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, projected to 2026, indicating the value placed on certified technicians, especially those with additional credentials such as CRCST and CER. The job market in Kalamazoo supports approximately 90 professionals in this role, hinting at steady demand for this essential occupation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,839 | $17.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,369 | $17.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,272 | $20.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,236 | $23.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,269 | $28.01 |
Median Salary Position
9.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kalamazoo
In Kalamazoo, MI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,430 (2026 est.). At $43,272, the local median is 9.33% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kalamazoo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kalamazoo Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Kalamazoo median: $43,272/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kalamazoo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $45,742 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -9.33% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $43,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.33% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $45,742.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kalamazoo has a cost of living 5.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kalamazoo, MI has a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,272 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.44% boost.
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
$36,970
2025 BLS Actual
$41,520
2026 Current Est.
$43,272
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,268 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,414 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,098 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kalamazoo metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 12.3% from $36,970 (2019) to $41,520 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,098 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,128 (21.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kalamazoo 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) | $36,839 – $37,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,369 – $43,272 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,272 – $49,236 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,236 – $58,269 |
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 Kalamazoo
In assessing the local job market for sterile processing technicians, the cost of living index in Kalamazoo, registered at 94.84, suggests a favorable housing and living environment relative to national averages. This lower cost can enhance purchasing power for those earning a sterile processing technician salary in Kalamazoo, MI. Among local employers, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical facilities. The variation in salaries is influenced by several factors, including shift differentials for evening and overnight work, the complexity of the roles, and the accumulation of specialty credentials, which can further drive pay upwards. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Kalamazoo, actively pursuing certifications such as CRCST and CIS while seeking positions in high-demand settings, like trauma centers or larger health systems, can be effective strategies for advancement in this evolving field.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Kalamazoo, MI in 2026?
Is Kalamazoo, MI a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Kalamazoo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Kalamazoo?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Kalamazoo?
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 $41,520 for sterile processing techniciansin the Kalamazoo 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, 4-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