Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $52,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $52,366/year (≈ $25.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $45,457 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Lakewood, NJ can expect to earn a median annual salary of $52,366, which is notably higher than the national median of $47,724, representing a 9.73% premium for local professionals. The salary range for this role spans from $39,981 at the 10th percentile to $79,820 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and responsibilities within the field. These figures are based on projections derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. The demand for skilled technicians capable of managing evening and overnight surgical tray turnover is particularly pronounced, as this aspect of the job often commands higher pay differentials, indicative of the critical nature of timely equipment readiness in surgical settings.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,981 | $19.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,474 | $20.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,366 | $25.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,059 | $31.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,820 | $38.37 |
Median Salary Position
9.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,839 (2026 est.). At $52,366, the local median is 9.73% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $52,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $52,789 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +9.73% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $52,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.73% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $52,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,457 — a 13.19% 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
$39,438
2025 BLS Actual
$50,246
2026 Current Est.
$52,366
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,438 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,871 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,697 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,576 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $39,438 (2019) to $50,246 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,576 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,138 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $39,981 – $43,474 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,474 – $52,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,366 – $66,059 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,059 – $79,820 |
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 Lakewood
The job market in Lakewood shows a stable employment figure, with approximately 31 sterile processing technicians currently active in the area. However, living costs in Lakewood are relatively elevated, as signified by a cost-of-living index of 115.2, thereby affecting overall purchasing power. Among the various employers, those operating hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest salaries, closely followed by specialty surgical centers and dental practices. Factors influencing the salary range include shift differentials, particularly for evening and overnight shifts, as well as the impact of credential stacking like CRCST, CIS, and CER on pay standards. To maximize earning potential in this market, technicians can pursue additional certifications, seek advanced roles in supervisory positions, or align with trauma centers that provide higher pay due to their demanding operational needs.
More salary data for Lakewood, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Lakewood, NJ in 2026?
Is Lakewood, NJ a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Lakewood?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $50,246 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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