Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Tupelo, MS: $38,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Tupelo, MS earns a median $38,882/year (≈ $18.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Tupelo's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $45,370 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The sterile processing technician salary in Tupelo, MS, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $38,882 in 2026. This reflects a significant local adaptation to the hiring shift that occurred post-2021, when many health systems began requiring credentials for new hires in this field. For those considering a career in sterile processing, the salary ranges from $29,313 at the 10th percentile to $54,122 at the 90th percentile, indicating potential for growth as experience and certifications, such as the CRCST, CIS, and CER, are acquired. These figures represent local estimates, influenced by state-level data and regional cost adjustments, highlighting that Tupelo's market offers competitive pay relative to the broader healthcare field.
About the Tupelo Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,313 | $14.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,064 | $16.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,882 | $18.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,468 | $22.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,122 | $26.02 |
Median Salary Position
18.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tupelo
In Tupelo, MS, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,809 (2026 est.). At $38,882, the local median is 18.53% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tupelo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tupelo Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Tupelo median: $38,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tupelo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $39,275 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -18.53% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Tupelo, MS earn a median of $38,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.53% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.00% below the Mississippi state average of $39,275.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tupelo 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.
Tupelo, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,370 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,283
2025 BLS Actual
$37,308
2026 Current Est.
$38,882
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Tupelo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,283 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,347 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,415 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,855 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,308 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tupelo metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,283 (2019) to $37,308 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,240 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tupelo 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) | $29,313 – $34,064 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,064 – $38,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,882 – $46,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,468 – $54,122 |
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 Tupelo
In Tupelo, seven sterile processing technicians are currently employed, emphasizing a niche market with steady demand despite potential regional limitations. The area’s cost-of-living index of 85.7 suggests that take-home salaries can stretch further than in many other U.S. locations, which favorably affects purchasing power. Hospitals often provide the highest compensation, particularly for those specializing in trauma care or working overnight shifts due to shift differentials. Other higher-paying environments include ambulatory surgery and specialty surgical centers. Maximizing earnings may involve accumulating specialized credentials, which can significantly influence pay scales. Advancing in roles such as lead technician or supervisor may also lead to higher compensation, making professional development a key strategy for those in the sterile processing field in Tupelo, MS.
More salary data for Tupelo, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Tupelo?
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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 $37,308 for sterile processing techniciansin the Tupelo 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 Tupelo 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