Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lima, OH: $40,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lima, OH earns a median $40,171/year (≈ $19.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lima's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.7), that paycheck buys what $44,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.1% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the expected compensation for a sterile processing technician in Lima, Ohio, stands at $40,171 annually. This figure represents a notable 15.83% gap compared to the national average of $47,724. The salary range for these professionals falls between $36,508 at the lower end and $47,354 at the upper range, reflecting the local market's dynamics. These statistics are derived from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Since the shift in hiring practices post-2021, where credentialing became a necessity for many positions, the sterile processing job market in Lima has been adjusting to these updated standards, providing various opportunities for skilled technicians to advance in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,508 | $17.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,369 | $17.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,171 | $19.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,004 | $22.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,354 | $22.77 |
Median Salary Position
15.83% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lima
In Lima, OH, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $10,846 (2026 est.). At $40,171, the local median is 15.83% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lima Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lima median: $40,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $45,186 | -11.10% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -15.83% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lima, OH earn a median of $40,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.83% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 11.10% below the Ohio state average of $45,186.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lima has a cost of living 10.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lima, OH has a cost-of-living index of 89.669 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,171 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,130
2025 BLS Actual
$38,544
2026 Current Est.
$40,171
2019–2027 Growth
+19.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,650 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lima metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 9.7% from $35,130 (2019) to $38,544 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,736 (19.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lima 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) | $36,508 – $37,369 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,369 – $40,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,171 – $46,004 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,004 – $47,354 |
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 Lima
Currently, there are approximately 40 sterile processing technicians employed in Lima, which opens up a competitive market for talent. The local cost of living index, at 89.669, indicates that residents may enjoy more purchasing power when compared to national averages, although it still reflects a lower overall living cost. Most competitive salaries can typically be found within hospital sterile processing departments, large multi-doctor dental practices, and specialized surgical centers. Factors that contribute to the varying pay scales include shift differentials for evening or overnight positions, the complexity of procedures, and the presence of advanced certifications such as CRCST, CIS, or CER. To maximize earning potential in Lima, technicians should focus on obtaining multiple certifications and consider roles in facilities designated as trauma centers or those offering advanced specialties, which often yield higher salaries.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Lima?
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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 $38,544 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lima 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