Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Pennsylvania: $46,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $46,959/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $48,213 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($48,355), York ($44,467), Bethlehem ($44,361).
In Pennsylvania, sterile processing technicians are projected to earn an average median salary of $46,959 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $47,724, creating a variance of -1.6%. The salary range across the state varies significantly, with the highest average in Philadelphia at $50,396 and the lowest in Pittsburgh at $41,691, reflecting a gap of $8,705. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and competition among healthcare facilities. Pennsylvania has specific requirements for sterile processing technicians that may influence earnings, including state licensing and scope of practice laws. These regulations ensure a standardized quality of care, which can impact job availability and growth. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%, the job market for these technicians shows positive trends. Key cities like York, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Scranton also present competitive salaries, with projections of $46,344, $46,233, $45,843, and $45,784, respectively. These figures indicate a steady demand for skilled professionals in sterile processing, driven by an ongoing need for healthcare services across the state. As the field evolves, earning potential tends to increase alongside experience and specialization.
Pennsylvania Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $30,366 (lowest entry-level) to $66,663 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania sterile processing technicians earn 1.6% less than the national median ($-765/year difference).
Pennsylvania Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Pennsylvania range from $39,565 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $57,324 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,959. The Pennsylvania median is $765 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $22.58/hr. Approximately 3,574 sterile processing technicians are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,844
2025 BLS Actual
$45,058
2026 Current Est.
$46,959
2019–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,844 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,296 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,847 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,091 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,058 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 25.7% from $35,844 (2019) to $45,058 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,097 (36.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsburgh | $41,691 |
| West Chester | $42,357 |
| Reading | $42,611 |
| Pottstown | $42,671 |
| Johnstown | $43,014 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $50,396 | 102.554 | $49,141 |
| Scranton | $45,784 | 93.556 | $48,938 |
| York | $46,344 | 96 | $48,275 |
| Erie | $43,892 | 90.95 | $48,259 |
| Bethlehem | $46,233 | 97.4 | $47,467 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,565 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,959 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $57,324 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $50,396 |
| 2 | York | $46,344 |
| 3 | Bethlehem | $46,233 |
| 4 | Lancaster | $45,843 |
| 5 | Scranton | $45,784 |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $45,353 |
| 7 | Allentown | $45,134 |
| 8 | Williamsport | $44,819 |
| 9 | Lebanon | $44,577 |
| 10 | Wilkes-Barre | $44,524 |
| 11 | Easton | $44,359 |
| 12 | Hazleton | $43,906 |
| 13 | Erie | $43,892 |
| 14 | Norristown | $43,821 |
| 15 | Chester | $43,720 |
| 16 | Altoona | $43,541 |
| 17 | Chambersburg | $43,502 |
| 18 | New Castle | $43,287 |
| 19 | State College | $43,144 |
| 20 | Johnstown | $43,014 |
| 21 | Pottstown | $42,671 |
| 22 | Reading | $42,611 |
| 23 | West Chester | $42,357 |
| 24 | Pittsburgh | $41,691 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Pennsylvania?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 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