Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Wake Forest, NC: $43,290 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Wake Forest, NC earns a median $43,290/year (≈ $20.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Wake Forest's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $46,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wake Forest, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in 2026 is $43,290, which reflects a competitive pay scale when considering the local job market dynamics. The salary range for this role spans from $34,648 at the low end (10th percentile) to $64,283 at the high end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight the opportunities for earnings growth and salary negotiations in this field. Given the increasing demand for skilled technicians, particularly during evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, compensation will likely adjust to attract the necessary talent in Wake Forest.
About the Wake Forest Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,648 | $16.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,052 | $17.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,825 | $25.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,283 | $30.90 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wake Forest
In Wake Forest, NC, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,635 (2026 est.). At $43,290, the local median is 9.29% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wake Forest: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wake Forest Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Wake Forest median: $43,290/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wake Forest Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $43,905 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -9.29% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Wake Forest, NC earn a median of $43,290 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.40% below the North Carolina state average of $43,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wake Forest has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wake Forest, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,290 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,603
2025 BLS Actual
$41,537
2026 Current Est.
$43,290
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Wake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,603 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,787 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,282 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,121 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,430 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,290 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wake Forest metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,603 (2019) to $41,537 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,514 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wake Forest 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) | $34,648 – $36,052 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,052 – $43,290 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,290 – $53,825 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,825 – $64,283 |
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 Wake Forest
Analyzing the job market for sterile processing technicians in Wake Forest reveals both strengths and challenges. Currently, there are nine sterile processing technicians employed in the area, which indicates a niche job market. However, the cost-of-living index at 93.6 suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to the national median, purchasing power is more favorable for residents. Employers that typically offer the highest wages include hospital sterile processing departments, specialty surgical centers, and large ambulatory surgery centers. Factors such as shift differentials for overnight work, additional credentials like CRCST + CIS + CER, and experience in trauma centers influence wage disparities significantly. Maximizing earning potential may involve pursuing further certifications, seeking positions in hospitals with higher acuity cases, or negotiating for evening or overnight shifts where the pay rates tend to be more lucrative. The evolving landscape of sterile processing requires that candidates remain adaptive and proactive regarding their qualifications and work settings in Wake Forest, NC.
More salary data for Wake Forest, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Wake Forest?
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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 $41,537 for sterile processing techniciansin the Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest 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