Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Great Falls, MT: $43,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Great Falls, MT earns a median $43,957/year (≈ $21.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Great Falls's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $45,693 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technician salaries in Great Falls, Montana, are projected to have a median annual salary of $43,957 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this role varies significantly, spanning from $32,296 at the 10th percentile to $66,286 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS estimates projected for 2026 and adjusted for regional cost differences, reflect the dynamics of the local job market. Great Falls experiences unique compensation trends due to factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, making it a competitive environment for those seeking roles in sterile processing.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,296 | $15.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,540 | $17.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,957 | $21.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,263 | $26.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $66,286 | $31.87 |
Median Salary Position
7.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
In Great Falls, MT, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,990 (2026 est.). At $43,957, the local median is 7.89% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Great Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Great Falls Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Great Falls median: $43,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Great Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $44,089 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -7.89% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $43,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.89% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $44,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Great Falls has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Great Falls, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,693 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,610
2025 BLS Actual
$42,177
2026 Current Est.
$43,957
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,795 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,677 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,037 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,215 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,177 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,812 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Great Falls metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 33.4% from $31,610 (2019) to $42,177 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,812 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,202 (44.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great Falls 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) | $32,296 – $35,540 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,540 – $43,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,957 – $55,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,263 – $66,286 |
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 Great Falls
In Great Falls, there are currently 12 employed sterile processing technicians, making the local job market relatively niche. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, individuals in this area may experience greater purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices tend to offer the highest pay. The disparity in wages can be attributed to factors like shift differentials, which compensate technicians working non-standard hours, as well as the complexity of required certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, which can enhance earning potential. Furthermore, those in supervisory roles or working in trauma centers often see increased compensation. For professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Great Falls, gaining additional credentials and seeking positions that offer shift differentials can be key strategies.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
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 $42,177 for sterile processing techniciansin the Great Falls 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 Great Falls 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