Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Reno, NV: $43,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Reno, NV earns a median $43,703/year (≈ $21.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Reno's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.0), that paycheck buys what $43,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Nevada state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the sterile processing technician salary in Reno is projected to reach $43,703, offering competitive compensation relative to the national average, which is $47,724. The salary range varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning around $39,631 and the upper 90% potentially making $51,546. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases the financial dynamics within the industry. Night shifts or and evening hours can further enhance earnings, as the demand for timely surgical tray turnover creates opportunities for higher compensation. With 150 sterile processing technicians currently employed in the Reno area, there are viable prospects for career growth and job stability, marking a promising work environment for those in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,631 | $19.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,101 | $19.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,703 | $21.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,485 | $23.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,546 | $24.78 |
Median Salary Position
8.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reno
In Reno, NV, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,915 (2026 est.). At $43,703, the local median is 8.43% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reno Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Reno median: $43,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada Average | $45,054 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -8.43% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Reno, NV earn a median of $43,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.43% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.00% below the Nevada state average of $45,054.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reno has a cost of living 1.01% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reno, NV has a cost-of-living index of 101.014 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $43,703 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,264 — a 1% reduction.
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
$35,790
2025 BLS Actual
$41,933
2026 Current Est.
$43,703
2019–2027 Growth
+27.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Reno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,790 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,970 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,820 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,933 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reno metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 17.2% from $35,790 (2019) to $41,933 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,757 (27.26%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reno 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) | $39,631 – $40,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,101 – $43,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,703 – $48,485 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,485 – $51,546 |
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 Reno
Reno's cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 101.014, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of sterile processing technicians. Employers ranging from hospital sterile processing departments to specialty surgical centers play a crucial role in the diversity of pay rates. Those facilities that prioritize additional credential requirements like CRCST, CIS, or CER may provide higher salaries, especially where trauma services are involved. Factors such as shift differentials for late-night operations and the operational setting—hospital versus ambulatory surgery centers—significantly influence pay disparities. To maximize earnings in this market, technicians should consider pursuing advanced certifications and seek positions in higher-paying employers, particularly those focused on specialty surgical practices or larger healthcare systems known for offering competitive salaries.
More salary data for Reno, NV:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Reno, NV in 2026?
Is Reno, NV a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Reno?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Reno?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Reno?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Nevada
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 $41,933 for sterile processing techniciansin the Reno 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
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