Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Minnesota: $50,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $50,540/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,310 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($51,283), St. Paul ($50,768), Bloomington ($50,374).
In 2026, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians in Minnesota is projected to be $50,540, which is 5.9% higher than the national median of $47,724. The highest paying city in Minnesota is Minneapolis, with salaries averaging $53,447, while Faribault offers the lowest average at $42,629. This salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living in metropolitan areas, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and demand for skilled technicians in urban settings. Minnesota has specific state licensing requirements and regulations that govern the scope of practice for sterile processing technicians, which can influence salary levels. Additionally, an annual growth rate of 4.22% in this field indicates that job opportunities are expected to become more plentiful, suggesting strong demand driven by the healthcare sector. In terms of key cities for employment, St. Paul follows Minneapolis with a projected salary of $52,910, and Bloomington, Rochester, and Duluth are also significant, with salaries ranging from $47,824 to $52,500. With a total of 1,602 employed sterile processing technicians, the outlook for this profession in Minnesota appears positive as the healthcare industry continues to expand.
Minnesota Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $32,275 (lowest entry-level) to $82,011 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota sterile processing technicians earn 5.90% more than the national median (+$2,816/year difference).
Minnesota Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Minnesota range from $41,955 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $62,939 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $50,540. The Minnesota median is $2,816 above the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $24.30/hr. Approximately 1,602 sterile processing technicians are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,891
2025 BLS Actual
$48,494
2026 Current Est.
$50,540
2019–2027 Growth
+17.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,891 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,662 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,008 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,306 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,494 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,673 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 8.0% from $44,891 (2019) to $48,494 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,673 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,782 (17.34%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $47,824 | 88.768 | $53,875 |
| St. Paul | $52,910 | 98.5 | $53,716 |
| Bloomington | $52,500 | 98.5 | $53,299 |
| Rochester | $47,985 | 90.821 | $52,835 |
| Minneapolis | $53,447 | 104.822 | $50,988 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,955 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $50,540 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $62,939 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $53,447 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $52,910 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $52,500 |
| 4 | Rochester | $47,985 |
| 5 | Duluth | $47,824 |
| 6 | Maple Grove | $45,740 |
| 7 | Woodbury | $45,722 |
| 8 | Eden Prairie | $45,680 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $44,799 |
| 10 | St. Cloud | $44,797 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $44,740 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $44,661 |
| 13 | Roseville | $44,634 |
| 14 | Chaska | $44,599 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $44,589 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $44,539 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $44,504 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $44,339 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $44,308 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $44,238 |
| 21 | Eagan | $44,232 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $44,221 |
| 23 | Elk River | $44,214 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $44,168 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $44,007 |
| 26 | Blaine | $43,821 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $43,753 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $43,710 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $43,703 |
| 30 | Savage | $43,633 |
| 31 | Edina | $43,628 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $43,499 |
| 33 | Andover | $43,489 |
| 34 | Richfield | $43,468 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $43,465 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $43,401 |
| 37 | Mankato | $43,391 |
| 38 | Northfield | $43,088 |
| 39 | Hastings | $42,996 |
| 40 | Fridley | $42,803 |
| 41 | Winona | $42,768 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $42,750 |
| 43 | Austin | $42,683 |
| 44 | Faribault | $42,629 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Minnesota?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 sterile processing technician compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more sterile processing technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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