Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Laurel, MS: $36,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Laurel, MS earns a median $36,313/year (≈ $17.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $42,372 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Laurel, Mississippi, earn a median annual salary of $36,313 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $47,724, reflecting a 23.91% pay gap. Local salaries range from $30,178 at the 10th percentile to $49,781 at the 90th percentile, with a majority concentrated around the $31,472 to $43,323 bracket. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price variations, highlight the local job market's focus on evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, which can boost compensation due to shift differentials. As the demand for sterile processing in healthcare settings continues to expand, especially in the context of credentialing requirements post-2021, opportunities for growth in this field remain promising in Laurel.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,178 | $14.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,472 | $15.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,313 | $17.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43,323 | $20.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,781 | $23.93 |
Median Salary Position
23.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,603 (2026 est.). At $36,313, the local median is 23.91% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Laurel median: $36,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $39,258 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -23.91% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Laurel, MS earn a median of $36,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.91% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $39,258.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $36,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,372 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,348
2025 BLS Actual
$34,843
2026 Current Est.
$36,313
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Laurel (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,342 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,918 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $26,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,843 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,846 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $27,348 (2019) to $34,843 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,846 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,498 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $30,178 – $31,472 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,472 – $36,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,313 – $43,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $43,323 – $49,781 |
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 Laurel
In Laurel, the sterile processing technician job market is relatively small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited pool suggests that competition for roles may be high, but it also indicates room for skilled technicians to command better pay. The cost of living in Laurel is lower than the national average, with a cost of living index at 85.7, which can positively impact take-home salaries. Local employers, including hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, typically offer the most competitive wages. Pay disparities among technicians can be influenced by various factors, including the accumulation of multiple certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, along with the shift differentials that evening and overnight shifts provide. Maximizing compensation in Laurel may involve seeking roles in high-demand specialty areas, pursuing ongoing education and certification, and capitalizing on leadership opportunities within the sterile processing field.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $34,843 for sterile processing techniciansin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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