Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bedford, NH: $46,301 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bedford, NH earns a median $46,301/year (≈ $22.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bedford's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $43,151 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the New Hampshire state average.

$46,301
Median Annual Salary
$22.26/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,760
Entry Level (P10)
$65,157
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bedford, NH — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Bedford, NH sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

With a projected median annual salary of $46,301 for sterile processing technicians in Bedford, New Hampshire, professionals in this field enjoy a competitive wage compared to their peers nationally, with the average differing by only 2.98%. The salary range for this occupation in Bedford spans from $35,760 at the 10th percentile to $65,157 at the 90th percentile, offering a variety of compensation opportunities based on experience and skills. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local living costs, reflect the increasing demand for certified sterile processing technicians, especially those skilled in endoscope reprocessing, or CER, a rapidly growing specialty in response to heightened attention on infection control. The evolving requirements in this sector indicate promising job prospects for those seeking to enter or advance in the medical field in Bedford.

About the Bedford Market

Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,760$17.20
Lower Range (P25)$41,165$19.79
Median (P50)(typical)$46,301$22.26
Upper Range (P75)$56,143$26.99
Top Earners (P90)$65,157$31.33

Median Salary Position

$35,760$65,157
City Median: $46,301
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

2.98% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bedford

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Bedford. The median salary is $46,301, compared to the national median of $47,724.$32.2K$41.2K$50.3K$59.4K$68.4K$35.8K10th Pctl$41.2K25th Pctl$46.3KMedian$56.1K75th Pctl$65.2K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Bedford, NH, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,397 (2026 est.). At $46,301, the local median is 2.98% below the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Bedford metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$890
per week
$3,859
per month
$46,304
per year

At 40 hours/week in Bedford: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Bedford Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Bedford median: $46,301/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBedford Pays
New Hampshire Average$49,152-5.80% less
National Average$47,724-2.98% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Bedford ($46,301) with New Hampshire average ($49,152) and the US national median ($47,724).Bedford$46,301New Hampshire Avg$49,152-5.80%US National$47,724-2.98%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Bedford, NH earn a median of $46,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.98% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.80% below the New Hampshire state average of $49,152.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$46,301
Nominal Salary
107.3
CoL Index
$43,151
Adjusted Salary

Bedford has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $46,301. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $43,151, a loss of $3,150.$36.7K$41.2K$45.8K$50.3K$54.9K$46,301NominalSalary$43,151CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.3) -6.80%US Median $47.7K

Bedford, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $46,301 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,151 — a 6.8% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$34,870

2025 BLS Actual

$44,426

2026 Current Est.

$46,301

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bedford (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Bedford. Baseline $34,870 in 2025, projected to $48,255 by 2027.$32.1K$36.9K$41.7K$46.5K$51.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.9K$36.1K$35.6K$38.6K$42.2K$48.5K$44.4K$46.3K$48.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,870Actual
2020$36,137Actual
2021$35,597Actual
2022$38,633Actual
2023$42,172Actual
2024$48,509Actual
2025$44,426Actual
2026(current)$46,301Estimated
2027$48,255Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bedford metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $34,870 (2019) to $44,426 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,255 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,385 (38.39%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bedford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$35,760$41,165
3-5 years (Mid Career)$41,165$46,301
5+ years (Experienced)$46,301$56,143
10+ years (Top Earner)$56,143$65,157

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 Bedford

Despite the healthy salary range, it's essential to consider the local job market dynamics. Currently, six sterile processing technicians are employed in Bedford, reflecting the ongoing need for skilled professionals in healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 107.3, workers face a somewhat higher living expense, which can impact purchasing power despite the favorable salary projections. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer the highest salaries, but individuals maximizing their earnings should target specialties like trauma centers and seek additional certifications, such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, to further boost their marketability. Understanding the factors that drive wage disparities, including shift differentials and workload, can provide a strategic edge in negotiating for higher pay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Bedford, NH in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Bedford is $46,301/year ($22.26/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,760 at entry level (10th percentile) to $65,157 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Bedford at 3.0% below the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Bedford, NH a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Bedford sterile processing technician salaries are 3.0% below the national average and 5.8% below the New Hampshire state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 107.3, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Bedford?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Bedford is $46,301, and the 90th percentile earns $65,157. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Bedford?

After adjusting for Bedford's cost-of-living index of 107.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $46,301 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $43,151 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Bedford reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.8% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Bedford?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Bedford earn a median hourly rate of $22.26, which translates to approximately $46,301/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.20 for entry-level positions to $31.33 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in New Hampshire

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 $44,426 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bedford 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 Bedford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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