Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Nebraska: $39,952 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $39,952/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $43,663 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($39,754), Grand Island ($39,262), Hastings ($39,243).
If you’re considering a career as a sterile processing technician in Nebraska, it's important to understand the salary landscape. In 2026, the average median salary for this profession is projected to be $39,953, which is approximately 16.3% lower than the national median of $47,724. Lincoln stands out with the highest salary in the state at $41,432, while North Platte offers the lowest at $38,981, creating a salary gap of $1,451 between these cities. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, healthcare facility funding, and demand for technicians in those areas. Nebraska has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect employment opportunities and salary potential. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.22% in this field, indicating a steady demand for sterile processing technicians across the state. Besides Lincoln, the top-paying cities include Grand Island at $40,919, Hastings at $40,899, Fremont at $40,677, and Bellevue at $40,593. Overall, despite the lower salaries compared to national averages, the steady demand and growth in this sector make it a viable career choice in Nebraska.
Nebraska Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $30,509 (lowest entry-level) to $60,316 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska sterile processing technicians earn 16.29% less than the national median ($-7,772/year difference).
Nebraska Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Nebraska range from $36,661 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $55,906 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $39,952. The Nebraska median is $7,772 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $19.21/hr. Approximately 496 sterile processing technicians are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$33,526
2025 BLS Actual
$38,335
2026 Current Est.
$39,952
2019–2027 Growth
+24.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,526 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,728 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,718 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,641 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,335 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,952 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 14.3% from $33,526 (2019) to $38,335 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,112 (24.20%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $38,981 |
| Papillion | $38,994 |
| La Vista | $39,035 |
| Norfolk | $39,041 |
| Columbus | $39,145 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $41,432 | 91.581 | $45,241 |
| Grand Island | $40,919 | 91.5 | $44,720 |
| Hastings | $40,899 | 91.5 | $44,698 |
| Fremont | $40,677 | 91.5 | $44,456 |
| Bellevue | $40,593 | 91.5 | $44,364 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,661 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $39,952 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $55,906 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $41,432 |
| 2 | Grand Island | $40,919 |
| 3 | Hastings | $40,899 |
| 4 | Fremont | $40,677 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $40,593 |
| 6 | Kearney | $40,369 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $40,230 |
| 8 | Omaha | $39,450 |
| 9 | Columbus | $39,145 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $39,041 |
| 11 | La Vista | $39,035 |
| 12 | Papillion | $38,994 |
| 13 | North Platte | $38,981 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Nebraska cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Nebraska?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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