Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Dickinson, ND: $41,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Dickinson, ND earns a median $41,214/year (≈ $19.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $44,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Dickinson, North Dakota, sterile processing technician salaries are projected to reach a median of $41,214 in 2026, which reflects a competitive wage relative to the national average. The local salary range spans from $31,391 at the 10th percentile to $60,234 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale that can cater to varying levels of experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differences, including the influence of evening and overnight shifts that often command higher compensation due to the urgent nature of surgical tray turnover. In a tight job market, understanding these dynamics can provide insight into potential earnings for sterile processing technicians working in Dickinson’s healthcare sector.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,391 | $15.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,865 | $16.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,214 | $19.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,658 | $23.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,234 | $28.96 |
Median Salary Position
13.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,843 (2026 est.). At $41,214, the local median is 13.64% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $41,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $42,141 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -13.64% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $41,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.64% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $42,141.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $41,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,039
2025 BLS Actual
$39,545
2026 Current Est.
$41,214
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,039 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,167 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,686 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,388 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,539 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,545 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,039 (2019) to $39,545 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,914 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $31,391 – $33,865 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,865 – $41,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,214 – $48,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,658 – $60,234 |
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 Dickinson
Currently, there are only four sterile processing technicians employed in Dickinson, reflecting a niche job market. The cost-of-living index for the region sits at 92, which is below the national average, promoting greater purchasing power for local wages. Among potential employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally offer the highest compensation, particularly for technicians who hold multiple certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. Notably, those who work overnight, in trauma centers, or take on supervisory roles can expect to see a wage increase given the specialized nature of the position. To maximize earnings in Dickinson, technicians should prioritize obtaining relevant credentials and consider shifts that require rapid turnover of surgical instruments, as these factors significantly impact overall pay.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Dickinson?
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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 $39,545 for sterile processing techniciansin the Dickinson 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 Dickinson 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