Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Winston, NC: $45,153 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Winston, NC earns a median $45,153/year (≈ $21.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $49,056 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the estimated median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $45,153 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $47,724. The salary range in this market spans from $39,510 at the 10th percentile to $60,641 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diversity of pay based on skills and experience levels. These figures are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Since the shift towards credential-required hiring post-2021, the demand for certified technicians has become more significant, reflecting an evolving landscape that values advanced skills and formal training. This change impacts not just individual salaries but also the overall strength of the job market in Winston.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,510 | $18.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,431 | $19.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,153 | $21.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,225 | $23.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,641 | $29.15 |
Median Salary Position
5.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,131 (2026 est.). At $45,153, the local median is 5.39% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Winston median: $45,153/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $43,923 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -5.39% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Winston, NC earn a median of $45,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.80% above the North Carolina state average of $43,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $45,153 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,056 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,130
2025 BLS Actual
$43,325
2026 Current Est.
$45,153
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,325 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,153 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,059 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 30.8% from $33,130 (2019) to $43,325 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,059 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,929 (42.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $39,510 – $40,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,431 – $45,153 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,153 – $48,225 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,225 – $60,641 |
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 Winston
With approximately 480 sterile processing technicians employed in Winston, the local job market shows resilience. The cost of living index in Winston stands at 92.043, which is below the national average. This relatively lower cost can enhance the purchasing power of local technicians compared to many counterparts across the country. Major employers within the area such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers are among the highest-paying entities. Factors contributing to compensation variability include shift differentials for evening or overnight roles, additional certifications like the CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as job roles within trauma centers versus standard facilities. To maximize salary potential in Winston, technicians could focus on obtaining these specialized credentials or seek supervisory roles, ensuring they remain competitive in a market where formal qualifications are increasingly demanded.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $43,325 for sterile processing techniciansin the Winston 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, 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