Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bellevue, NE: $40,593 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bellevue, NE earns a median $40,593/year (≈ $19.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $44,364 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Bellevue, Nebraska, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in 2026 is $40,593, which reflects a notable difference of 14.94% below the national median of $47,724. Local estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data, indicate that the salary range for this profession spans from $31,170 at the 10th percentile to $60,316 at the 90th percentile. Factors contributing to this range include shift differentials, as evening and overnight shifts for surgical tray turnover are often compensated at higher rates. As Bellevue continues to develop its healthcare infrastructure, opportunities for employment are likely to expand, driving competition for skilled technicians and potentially influencing compensation levels.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,170 | $14.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,829 | $16.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,593 | $19.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,496 | $24.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,316 | $28.99 |
Median Salary Position
14.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,146 (2026 est.). At $40,593, the local median is 14.94% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $40,593/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $41,935 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -14.94% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $40,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.94% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $41,935.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,593 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,364 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,571
2025 BLS Actual
$38,949
2026 Current Est.
$40,593
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,571 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,682 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,208 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,973 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,593 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,306 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,571 (2019) to $38,949 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,306 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,735 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $31,170 – $33,829 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,829 – $40,593 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,593 – $50,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,496 – $60,316 |
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 Bellevue
Considering the local job market, Bellevue currently employs 15 sterile processing technicians. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, indicating that despite the lower salary figures, the purchasing power remains relatively beneficial for local workers. Facilities like hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the most competitive pay among local employers, while ambulatory and specialty surgical centers provide varying compensation structures that may depend on seasonal demands and specific procedural scopes. The pay disparity can also be attributed to the need for specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as leadership roles that may arise within hospital settings. For those navigating their careers in Bellevue, acquiring multiple certifications and seeking positions in higher-demand environments can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Bellevue, NE in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Bellevue?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Bellevue?
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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 $38,949 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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