Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bowling Green, OH: $44,896 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bowling Green, OH earns a median $44,896/year (≈ $21.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bowling Green's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $49,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary expectations for sterile processing technicians in Bowling Green, Ohio, show a median of $44,896, which is slightly lower than the national figure of $47,724. The local salary range varies significantly, from $35,451 at the lower end to $62,794 at the top. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight how factors such as evening and overnight surgical tray turnover can drive compensation, particularly since many facilities offer shift differentials for less favorable hours. This nuanced compensation structure reflects Bowling Green's evolving job market in sterile processing, catering to both entry-level candidates and seasoned professionals who may have multiple industry certifications.
About the Bowling Green Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,451 | $17.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,784 | $18.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,896 | $21.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,837 | $25.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,794 | $30.19 |
Median Salary Position
5.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bowling Green
In Bowling Green, OH, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,343 (2026 est.). At $44,896, the local median is 5.93% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bowling Green: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bowling Green Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bowling Green median: $44,896/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bowling Green Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $45,167 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -5.93% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bowling Green, OH earn a median of $44,896 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.93% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.60% below the Ohio state average of $45,167.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bowling Green has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bowling Green, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,896 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,812
2025 BLS Actual
$43,078
2026 Current Est.
$44,896
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bowling Green (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,812 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,040 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,517 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,461 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,892 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,896 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,790 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bowling Green metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,812 (2019) to $43,078 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,790 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,978 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bowling Green 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) | $35,451 – $37,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,784 – $44,896 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,896 – $53,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,837 – $62,794 |
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 Bowling Green
The employment landscape for sterile processing technicians in Bowling Green is relatively small with only seven individuals currently in the role. Given the area's cost of living index of 90.7, those working in this position enjoy a purchasing power that is slightly better than what a similar salary would afford in many larger cities. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and large ambulatory surgery centers often provide the most competitive pay. Earnings can fluctuate based on factors like shift differentials for night work, added certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as leadership roles in a hospital versus an ambulatory setting. For those in the field looking to maximize their pay, obtaining specialized certifications and seeking positions in facilities designated as trauma centers are advisable strategies; proficiency in endoscope reprocessing is also becoming increasingly valuable, aligning with current industry trends.
More salary data for Bowling Green, 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 $43,078 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bowling Green 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 Bowling Green 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