Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Oregon: $49,364 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $49,364/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,113 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($50,074), Portland ($48,960), Grants Pass ($48,269).
In 2026, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians in Oregon is projected to be $49,365, slightly exceeding the national median of $47,724 by 3.4%. The highest paying city in the state is Hillsboro, at $52,187, while Milwaukie offers the lowest salaries at $44,009, creating a salary gap of $8,178. This disparity is often driven by local demand, hospital funding, and cost of living, which vary across the state. Oregon's scope of practice laws and state licensing requirements for technicians can also influence salaries, as these regulations may differ from those in other states. Moreover, the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.22%, indicating strong ongoing demand for these essential healthcare roles. As of 2026, the total employment for sterile processing technicians in Oregon stands at 1,712, with the top five cities offering competitive salaries: Hillsboro ($52,187), Portland ($51,026), Grants Pass ($50,306), Gresham ($48,996), and Albany ($48,322). Understanding these factors can provide valuable insights into career planning and salary expectations as a sterile processing technician in Oregon.
Oregon Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $34,659 (lowest entry-level) to $76,446 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon sterile processing technicians earn 3.44% more than the national median (+$1,640/year difference).
Oregon Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Oregon range from $36,559 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $65,007 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,364. The Oregon median is $1,640 above the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $23.73/hr. Approximately 1,712 sterile processing technicians are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,767
2025 BLS Actual
$47,366
2026 Current Est.
$49,364
2019–2027 Growth
+23.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,767 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,572 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,848 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,045 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,366 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,364 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 13.4% from $41,767 (2019) to $47,366 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,680 (23.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Milwaukie | $44,009 |
| Klamath Falls | $44,113 |
| The Dalles | $44,380 |
| Newberg | $44,858 |
| Canby | $45,107 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grants Pass | $50,306 | 97.76 | $51,459 |
| Hillsboro | $52,187 | 102.6 | $50,865 |
| Portland | $51,026 | 105.421 | $48,402 |
| Gresham | $48,996 | 102.6 | $47,754 |
| Medford | $47,885 | 101.433 | $47,209 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,559 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,364 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $65,007 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $52,187 |
| 2 | Portland | $51,026 |
| 3 | Grants Pass | $50,306 |
| 4 | Gresham | $48,996 |
| 5 | Albany | $48,322 |
| 6 | Bend | $47,905 |
| 7 | Medford | $47,885 |
| 8 | Corvallis | $47,694 |
| 9 | Beaverton | $47,601 |
| 10 | McMinnville | $47,472 |
| 11 | Salem | $47,454 |
| 12 | Eugene | $47,444 |
| 13 | Oregon City | $47,416 |
| 14 | Woodburn | $47,100 |
| 15 | Lake Oswego | $46,874 |
| 16 | Springfield | $46,831 |
| 17 | Forest Grove | $46,751 |
| 18 | Tigard | $46,555 |
| 19 | Redmond | $46,539 |
| 20 | West Linn | $46,406 |
| 21 | Tualatin | $46,005 |
| 22 | Pendleton | $46,001 |
| 23 | Wilsonville | $45,934 |
| 24 | Happy Valley | $45,539 |
| 25 | Hermiston | $45,413 |
| 26 | Central Point | $45,392 |
| 27 | Ashland | $45,388 |
| 28 | Keizer | $45,376 |
| 29 | Sherwood | $45,373 |
| 30 | Coos Bay | $45,298 |
| 31 | Roseburg | $45,132 |
| 32 | Canby | $45,107 |
| 33 | Newberg | $44,858 |
| 34 | The Dalles | $44,380 |
| 35 | Klamath Falls | $44,113 |
| 36 | Milwaukie | $44,009 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Oregon cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in Oregon
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Oregon?
How does Oregon sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Oregon?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon city offers the best value for sterile processing technicians?
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
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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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 (–). 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