Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Papillion, NE: $38,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Papillion, NE earns a median $38,994/year (≈ $18.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $42,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median salary for a sterile processing technician in Papillion, Nebraska, is projected to be $38,994, which reflects a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this profession in the area stretches from $32,782 at the 10th percentile to $53,966 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience, facility type, and additional certifications. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026, factoring in regional price adjustments. With a shift in hiring practices focused on credentialing since 2021, the local job market for sterile processing technicians in Papillion has adapted to expectations for formal qualifications, driving demand for those who hold certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,782 | $15.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,070 | $16.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,994 | $18.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,721 | $22.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,966 | $25.94 |
Median Salary Position
18.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,184 (2026 est.). At $38,994, the local median is 18.29% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Papillion Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Papillion median: $38,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $41,929 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -18.29% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Papillion, NE earn a median of $38,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.29% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $41,929.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion 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.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,994 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,616 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$29,367
2025 BLS Actual
$37,415
2026 Current Est.
$38,994
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,367 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,979 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,536 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,517 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,747 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,415 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,639 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,367 (2019) to $37,415 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,639 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,272 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $32,782 – $34,070 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,070 – $38,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,994 – $46,721 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,721 – $53,966 |
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 Papillion
Within Papillion, there are currently five sterile processing technicians employed, a figure that highlights the localized nature of job opportunities in this field. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting a lower-than-average housing and living expense environment, which can positively influence take-home pay. While hospitals typically dominate the employment landscape, ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical practices may offer steeper pay to those with advanced credential stacks. Factors contributing to the pay scale include shift differentials, the complexity of the procedures handled, and the potential for lead or supervisory roles. To optimize earning potential in Papillion, technicians should pursue additional certifications, seek education on emerging trends like endoscope reprocessing, and consider roles in facilities that recognize the diverse competencies and functions of sterile processing, thus positioning themselves as competitive candidates in a changing workforce environment.
More salary data for Papillion, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Papillion, NE in 2026?
Is Papillion, NE a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Papillion?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Papillion?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Papillion?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nebraska
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 $37,415 for sterile processing techniciansin the Papillion 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 Papillion 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