Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Utica, NY: $45,623 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Utica, NY earns a median $45,623/year (≈ $21.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $49,227 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Utica, New York, salaries for sterile processing technicians reflect the increasing demand for specialized skills, particularly in endoscope reprocessing. The 2026 median annual salary is projected to reach $45,623, with a salary range spanning from $36,808 at the lower end to $57,680 at the higher end. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for the following year, places local compensation slightly below the national median of $47,724. As the healthcare landscape evolves, sterile processing technicians equipped with advanced certifications have opportunities to enhance their earnings, particularly if they specialize in areas such as CER, which is gaining traction due to heightened focus on infection prevention.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,808 | $17.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,331 | $19.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,623 | $21.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,680 | $27.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,680 | $27.73 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica
In Utica, NY, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,872 (2026 est.). At $45,623, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Utica: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Utica Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Utica median: $45,623/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Utica Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $46,841 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -4.40% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Utica, NY earn a median of $45,623 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.60% below the New York state average of $46,841.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $45,623 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,227 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.9% 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
$34,360
2025 BLS Actual
$43,776
2026 Current Est.
$45,623
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,608 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,970 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,776 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,623 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,549 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $34,360 (2019) to $43,776 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,549 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,189 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica 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) | $36,808 – $40,331 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,331 – $45,623 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,623 – $57,680 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,680 – $57,680 |
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 Utica
A total of 40 sterile processing technicians are currently employed in the Utica area, reflecting a steady demand for these professionals. Given the cost-of-living index of 92.678, which is lower than the national average, take-home salaries afford a reasonable quality of life in the region. Employers across various settings, including hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices, vary significantly in their pay structures. Factors influencing salary differences include shift differentials for evening and overnight shifts, advanced credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as supervisory roles. To maximize pay in the Utica market, technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking evening shifts, and building experience through trauma centers, which generally offer higher compensation packages.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Utica, NY in 2026?
Is Utica, NY a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Utica?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Utica?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Utica?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 $43,776 for sterile processing techniciansin the Utica 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, 5-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