Sterile Processing Technician Salary in New Jersey: $52,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $52,018/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,155 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($57,485), Newark ($56,599), East Orange ($51,341).
In New Jersey, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $52,018 in 2026, which is 9.0% higher than the national median of $47,724. This salary varies significantly across the state, with Jersey City offering the highest average at $59,911, while Trenton presents the lowest at $46,193, creating a salary gap of $13,718. Factors contributing to this disparity include the cost of living, demand levels for healthcare services in urban versus rural settings, and the availability of healthcare institutions that require these technicians. In New Jersey, state regulations mandate specific licensing requirements and define the scope of practice for sterile processing technicians, which can influence salary expectations. The robust demand for healthcare services, driven by the state’s high population density and aging demographics, contributes to the job market strength for this occupation. With a projected growth rate of 4.22% through 2026, the job outlook remains positive. The top five cities for salaries in 2026 include Newark at $58,987, East Orange and Franklin at $53,508 each, and Woodbridge at $53,492, reflecting the geographic salary variations across the state.
New Jersey Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Jersey: $36,819 (lowest entry-level) to $91,430 (highest top earner)
New Jersey vs National Average
New Jersey sterile processing technicians earn 9.00% more than the national median (+$4,294/year difference).
New Jersey Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in New Jersey range from $40,050 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,671 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,018. The New Jersey median is $4,294 above the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $25.01/hr. Approximately 1,004 sterile processing technicians are employed across 61 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,181
2025 BLS Actual
$49,912
2026 Current Est.
$52,018
2019–2027 Growth
+25.5%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in New Jersey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,181 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,405 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,994 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,088 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,912 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 15.6% from $43,181 (2019) to $49,912 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,032 (25.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey
Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in New Jersey
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jersey City | $59,911 | 115.2 | $52,006 |
| Atlantic City | $50,886 | 98.857 | $51,474 |
| Newark | $58,987 | 115.2 | $51,204 |
| East Orange | $53,508 | 115.2 | $46,448 |
| Franklin | $53,508 | 115.2 | $46,448 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,050 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $52,018 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,671 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 61 Cities in New Jersey
More New Jersey Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in New Jersey 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 New Jersey in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in New Jersey?
How does New Jersey sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in New Jersey?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in New Jersey?
Which New Jersey 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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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