Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bismarck, ND: $47,935 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bismarck, ND earns a median $47,935/year (≈ $23.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $52,662 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Bismarck, North Dakota, stands at $47,935, marking a slight increase over the national median of $47,724. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum, with the lower ten percent earning around $37,989 and the upper ten percent potentially reaching $61,001. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This market has transitioned since 2021 towards a credential-required hiring model, which has enhanced the profile and earning potential of professionals in the sterile processing field. As the demand for qualified technicians grows, Bismarck presents ample opportunities for career advancement and specialization, especially amid ongoing shifts in healthcare standards and the increasing complexity of sterile processing roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,989 | $18.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,120 | $18.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,935 | $23.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,586 | $24.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,001 | $29.33 |
Median Salary Position
0.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,012 (2026 est.). At $47,935, the local median is 0.44% above the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $47,935/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $42,159 | +13.70% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +0.44% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $47,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.44% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 13.70% above the North Dakota state average of $42,159.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $47,935 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,662 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,101
2025 BLS Actual
$45,994
2026 Current Est.
$47,935
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,101 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,412 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,994 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,935 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,958 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $36,101 (2019) to $45,994 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,958 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,857 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $37,989 – $38,120 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,120 – $47,935 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,935 – $50,586 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,586 – $61,001 |
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 Bismarck
In Bismarck, the job market for sterile processing technicians remains steady, with approximately 60 professionals employed in the area. The cost of living Index rests at 91.024, suggesting that salaries in the region allow for a comfortable standard of living despite being slightly below the national average. Employers like hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities typically offer the most competitive pay for those in this role. Pay disparities are influenced by factors such as shift differentials for evening shifts, credential stacking involving CRCST, CIS, and CER, and senior roles like supervisors. To maximize income, aspiring technicians should focus on obtaining specialty certifications and consider positions in high-demand areas such as trauma centers. Understanding the local job market dynamics will undoubtedly assist in making informed career decisions in Bismarck ND.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $45,994 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bismarck 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