Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Akron, OH: $45,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Akron, OH earns a median $45,563/year (≈ $21.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,798 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Akron, Ohio, stands at $45,563, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this occupation in the area varies significantly, with the lower 10% earning approximately $35,979, while the top 90% can make as much as $58,010. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys which highlight the evolving hiring landscape, particularly in light of the credential-required shift that began in many hospital systems post-2021. Given this transformation, the demand for certified professionals is on the rise, making the job market increasingly competitive for sterile processing technicians in Akron.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,979 | $17.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,219 | $17.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,563 | $21.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,495 | $23.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,010 | $27.89 |
Median Salary Position
4.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,031 (2026 est.). At $45,563, the local median is 4.53% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Akron Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Akron median: $45,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $45,201 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -4.53% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Akron, OH earn a median of $45,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.80% above the Ohio state average of $45,201.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $45,563 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,798 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,700
2025 BLS Actual
$43,718
2026 Current Est.
$45,563
2019–2027 Growth
+33.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 22.5% from $35,700 (2019) to $43,718 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,786 (33.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $35,979 – $37,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,219 – $45,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,563 – $49,495 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,495 – $58,010 |
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 Akron
The local job market reflects a solid employment base of 190 sterile processing technicians in Akron, which provides a degree of stability given the region's cost of living index of 93.37—well below the national average of 100. This index suggests that the purchasing power for technicians in Akron may yield some advantage compared to more expensive metropolitan areas. Employers in the area, including hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, typically offer higher salaries, with variations driven primarily by factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight shifts, specialized credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the type of facility—hospitals often provide better pay than ambulatory surgery centers. To maximize their earning potential, technicians should consider acquiring additional certifications and seeking roles that offer lead or supervisory responsibilities, particularly in facilities designated as trauma centers.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
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 $43,718 for sterile processing techniciansin the Akron 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