Sterile Processing Technician Salary in North Carolina: $44,700 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $44,700/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,756 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($45,292), Raleigh ($44,765), Charlotte ($44,563).
In North Carolina, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $44,700 in 2026, which is 6.3% lower than the national median of $47,724. This discrepancy highlights regional variations in healthcare wages. The highest-paying city in the state is Concord, where technicians can earn up to $47,203, while those in Fayetteville may only see $37,909, creating a notable salary gap of $9,294 between these cities. Factors contributing to this difference include local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of medical facilities. In North Carolina, sterile processing technicians must adhere to state licensing requirements that govern their practice scope. The state's healthcare sector continues to grow, driven by an aging population and increasing surgical procedures, leading to a projected job market growth rate of 4.22% annually. The top five cities for employment and salary projections in 2026 are Concord, Raleigh at $46,654, Charlotte at $46,444, Cary at $46,432, and Greensboro at $45,613. With a total of 2,507 professionals employed in this field in North Carolina, opportunities are expected to expand, making it a viable career option for those entering the healthcare workforce.
North Carolina Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $31,936 (lowest entry-level) to $70,410 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina sterile processing technicians earn 6.34% less than the national median ($-3,024/year difference).
North Carolina Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in North Carolina range from $36,870 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,491 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $44,700. The North Carolina median is $3,024 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $21.49/hr. Approximately 2,507 sterile processing technicians are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,109
2025 BLS Actual
$42,890
2026 Current Est.
$44,700
2019–2027 Growth
+45.1%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,109 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,544 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,613 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,444 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,877 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,700 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,586 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 33.6% from $32,109 (2019) to $42,890 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,586 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,477 (45.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $37,909 |
| Greenville | $38,300 |
| Wilmington | $40,601 |
| Pinehurst | $40,697 |
| Leland | $40,773 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $47,203 | 93.6 | $50,431 |
| Cary | $46,432 | 93.6 | $49,607 |
| Greensboro | $45,613 | 92.865 | $49,118 |
| Winston | $45,153 | 92.043 | $49,056 |
| Winston-Salem | $45,506 | 93.6 | $48,618 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,870 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $44,700 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,491 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $47,203 |
| 2 | Raleigh | $46,654 |
| 3 | Charlotte | $46,444 |
| 4 | Cary | $46,432 |
| 5 | Greensboro | $45,613 |
| 6 | Winston-Salem | $45,506 |
| 7 | Gastonia | $45,453 |
| 8 | Winston | $45,153 |
| 9 | High Point | $44,910 |
| 10 | Chapel Hill | $44,623 |
| 11 | Huntersville | $44,378 |
| 12 | Kannapolis | $44,309 |
| 13 | Durham | $44,253 |
| 14 | Apex | $44,204 |
| 15 | Jacksonville | $44,125 |
| 16 | Asheville | $43,562 |
| 17 | Statesville | $43,543 |
| 18 | Kernersville | $43,506 |
| 19 | Matthews | $43,403 |
| 20 | Cornelius | $43,328 |
| 21 | Sanford | $43,291 |
| 22 | Wake Forest | $43,290 |
| 23 | Morrisville | $43,270 |
| 24 | Fuquay-Varina | $43,154 |
| 25 | Salisbury | $43,148 |
| 26 | Thomasville | $43,076 |
| 27 | New Bern | $43,060 |
| 28 | Mint Hill | $43,049 |
| 29 | Burlington | $43,019 |
| 30 | Rocky Mount | $42,647 |
| 31 | Holly Springs | $42,368 |
| 32 | Hickory | $42,282 |
| 33 | Mooresville | $42,234 |
| 34 | Monroe | $42,217 |
| 35 | Garner | $42,123 |
| 36 | Wilson | $42,091 |
| 37 | Boone | $41,909 |
| 38 | Indian Trail | $41,546 |
| 39 | Carrboro | $41,384 |
| 40 | Leland | $40,773 |
| 41 | Pinehurst | $40,697 |
| 42 | Wilmington | $40,601 |
| 43 | Greenville | $38,300 |
| 44 | Fayetteville | $37,909 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in North Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in North Carolina
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in North Carolina?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in North Carolina?
Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 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