Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Ohio: $45,407 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Ohio's 67 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $45,407/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Ohio sits at BEA RPP 90.7 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,063 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Cincinnati ($46,205), Columbus ($43,987), Lorain ($43,822).

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Ohio - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Ohio sterile processing technician salary overview (2026)

$45,407

Avg Median Salary

$21.83

Avg Hourly Rate

3,430

Metro Employed

Cities

In Ohio, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $45,407 in 2026, which is approximately 4.9% lower than the national median of $47,724. The highest salaries are found in Cincinnati at $48,155, while Youngstown offers the lowest at $39,600, creating a gap of $8,555. This disparity can be attributed to various factors such as differences in the cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the availability of healthcare facilities in each city. Ohio does not have state-specific licensing requirements for sterile processing technicians, but technicians are often encouraged to earn certification through recognized organizations to enhance their job prospects. The state’s growing healthcare sector is a significant driver of demand, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 4.22% for this role. Major metropolitan areas such as Columbus ($45,843), Lorain ($45,671), Springfield ($45,585), and Akron ($45,563) also provide competitive salaries, contributing to the overall healthcare employment landscape. Overall, the job market for sterile processing technicians in Ohio shows promise, driven by the ongoing need for skilled professionals in the healthcare industry, making it a viable option for those considering a career in this field.

Ohio Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$36,895

avg across 67 cities

Median

$45,407

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$58,595

avg across 67 cities

Overall salary range in Ohio: $26,103 (lowest entry-level) to $68,324 (highest top earner)

Ohio vs National Average

Ohio

$45,407

National Median

$47,724

Ohio sterile processing technicians earn 4.85% less than the national median ($-2,317/year difference).

Ohio Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Ohio range from $36,895 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $58,595 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,407. The Ohio median is $2,317 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $21.83/hr. Approximately 3,430 sterile processing technicians are employed across 67 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$36,365

2025 BLS Actual

$43,568

2026 Current Est.

$45,407

2019–2027 Growth

+30.1%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Ohio (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$36,365	Actual
2020	$37,902	Actual
2021	$37,412	Actual
2022	$40,841	Actual
2023	$42,845	Actual
2024	$42,747	Actual
2025	$43,568	Actual
2026(current)	$45,407	Estimated
2027	$47,323	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ohio metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 19.8% from $36,365 (2019) to $43,568 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,323 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,958 (30.13%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ohio 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 Ohio

Cincinnati

780 employed · $23.15/hr

$48,155

+6.05% vs avg

Columbus

550 employed · $22.04/hr

$45,843

+0.96% vs avg

Lorain

12 employed · $21.96/hr

$45,671

+0.58% vs avg

Springfield

8 employed · $21.92/hr

$45,585

+0.39% vs avg

Akron

190 employed · $21.91/hr

$45,563

+0.34% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Ohio

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Youngstown	$39,600	-12.79%	$19.04
Warren	$39,697	-12.58%	$19.08
Lima	$40,171	-11.53%	$19.31
Solon	$41,526	-8.55%	$19.97
Centerville	$41,533	-8.53%	$19.97

Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Ohio

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Ohio cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Mansfield	$45,484	88.872	$51,179
Cincinnati	$48,155	95.37	$50,493
Lorain	$45,671	90.7	$50,354
Springfield	$45,585	90.7	$50,259
Parma	$45,546	90.7	$50,216

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Ohio

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$36,895	$17.74	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$45,407	$21.83	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$58,595	$28.17	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Ohio metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 67 Cities in Ohio

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Cincinnati	$48,155	$23.15	$38,189	$60,792	780
2	Columbus	$45,843	$22.04	$37,139	$58,330	550
3	Lorain	$45,671	$21.96	$33,357	$65,429	12
4	Springfield	$45,585	$21.92	$34,530	$66,910	8
5	Akron	$45,563	$21.91	$35,979	$58,010	190
6	Parma	$45,546	$21.90	$34,437	$64,995	12
7	Mansfield	$45,484	$21.88	$39,940	$46,463	30
8	Cuyahoga Falls	$45,360	$21.80	$33,808	$64,467	11
9	Cleveland	$45,323	$21.79	$38,130	$58,640	680
10	Hamilton	$45,202	$21.73	$33,576	$68,324	11
11	Toledo	$45,043	$21.66	$36,419	$55,168	180
12	Lakewood	$44,955	$21.62	$33,041	$67,576	11
13	Sandusky	$44,903	$21.58	$35,469	$64,294	5
14	Bowling Green	$44,896	$21.58	$35,451	$62,794	7
15	Lancaster	$44,881	$21.57	$35,416	$64,333	7
16	Zanesville	$44,878	$21.57	$35,408	$62,733	5
17	Westlake	$44,801	$21.54	$35,217	$62,473	5
18	Middletown	$44,783	$21.53	$35,173	$63,998	9
19	Grove City	$44,654	$21.47	$34,854	$61,977	7
20	Delaware	$44,619	$21.45	$34,768	$61,747	7
21	Gahanna	$44,611	$21.45	$34,750	$61,835	9
22	Westerville	$44,583	$21.44	$34,681	$61,740	8
23	Huber Heights	$44,478	$21.39	$34,235	$61,388	11
24	North Ridgeville	$44,444	$21.37	$34,337	$61,271	8
25	North Royalton	$44,380	$21.33	$33,996	$61,059	7
26	North Olmsted	$44,223	$21.26	$33,800	$64,824	8
27	Reynoldsburg	$44,146	$21.22	$33,425	$64,559	8
28	Strongsville	$43,999	$21.16	$33,071	$64,058	8
29	Beavercreek	$43,810	$21.06	$35,056	$63,586	8
30	Dayton	$43,742	$21.03	$38,389	$56,639	350
31	Brunswick	$43,724	$21.02	$36,159	$62,994	6
32	Wooster	$43,724	$21.02	$36,021	$63,129	6
33	Elyria	$43,657	$20.99	$33,551	$63,089	14
34	Shaker Heights	$43,568	$20.95	$35,774	$62,487	7
35	Medina	$43,539	$20.93	$35,747	$62,504	6
36	Dublin	$43,398	$20.86	$35,402	$62,032	9
37	Fairfield	$43,395	$20.86	$35,348	$63,449	9
38	Mentor	$43,349	$20.84	$35,237	$63,294	9
39	Canton	$43,333	$20.83	$34,707	$58,891	100
40	Mason	$43,160	$20.75	$34,639	$61,236	7
41	Kettering	$43,152	$20.75	$33,715	$64,845	10
42	Avon	$43,106	$20.73	$34,432	$59,139	6
43	Marion	$43,041	$20.69	$34,486	$60,706	7
44	Stow	$43,038	$20.69	$34,342	$60,829	9
45	Newark	$43,013	$20.68	$34,463	$60,747	10
46	Findlay	$42,967	$20.66	$34,353	$60,596	8
47	Green	$42,901	$20.63	$34,012	$61,894	4
48	Barberton	$42,901	$20.63	$34,194	$60,376	6
49	Austintown	$42,883	$20.61	$33,969	$60,318	7
50	Cleveland Heights	$42,876	$20.61	$34,134	$60,294	9
51	Upper Arlington	$42,820	$20.58	$33,953	$60,003	9
52	Xenia	$42,820	$20.58	$33,999	$60,003	7
53	Hilliard	$42,768	$20.56	$33,692	$59,936	9
54	Massillon	$42,745	$20.55	$34,604	$62,192	7
55	Oxford	$42,634	$20.50	$33,201	$60,043	6
56	Chillicothe	$42,543	$20.46	$32,835	$59,843	6
57	Perrysburg	$42,386	$20.38	$36,195	$59,228	6
58	Trotwood	$42,373	$20.38	$36,160	$59,183	6
59	Athens	$41,924	$20.16	$33,767	$57,825	5
60	Tiffin	$41,689	$20.04	$34,480	$56,969	6
61	Wadsworth	$41,656	$20.03	$34,214	$56,960	6
62	Avon Lake	$41,624	$20.01	$34,274	$56,761	5
63	Centerville	$41,533	$19.97	$33,910	$56,567	6
64	Solon	$41,526	$19.97	$34,075	$57,870	6
65	Lima	$40,171	$19.31	$36,508	$47,354	40
66	Warren	$39,697	$19.08	$29,911	$57,587	9
67	Youngstown	$39,600	$19.04	$26,103	$48,014	90

More Ohio Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Ohio cities.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Lorain →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Lorain →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.

Cincinnati →Columbus →Lorain →

Compare Cities in Ohio

Cincinnati, OHvsCleveland, OH Cincinnati, OHvsColumbus, OH Cleveland, OHvsColumbus, OH Cincinnati, OHvsDayton, OH Cleveland, OHvsDayton, OH Cincinnati, OHvsAkron, OH

View all comparisons →

Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Ohio in 2026?

The average median sterile processing technician salary in Ohio is $45,407/year across 67 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $39,600 in Youngstown to $48,155 in Cincinnati. This makes Ohio 4.85% below the national median of $47,724. The state employs approximately 3,430 sterile processing technicians.

What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Ohio?

Cincinnati offers the highest sterile processing technician salary in Ohio at $48,155/year ($23.15/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Cincinnati ($48,155), Columbus ($45,843), Lorain ($45,671). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for sterile processing services, and competition among employers for licensed sterile processing technicians.

How does Ohio sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?

Ohio's average sterile processing technician salary of $45,407 is 4.85% below the national median of $47,724 in 2026. The state employs approximately 3,430 sterile processing technicians across 67 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Ohio?

Entry-level sterile processing technicians (10th percentile) in Ohio earn approximately $36,895/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $26,103 in lower-paying areas to $39,940 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Ohio?

Ohio employs approximately 3,430 sterile processing technicians across 67 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the sterile processing field expands and the population ages.

Which Ohio city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Mansfield offers the highest purchasing power for sterile processing technicians in Ohio, with an adjusted salary of $51,179 (nominal: $45,484, CoL index: 88.872). This means your dollar goes 13% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 Ohio. State averages are employment-weighted across 67 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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