Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Altoona, PA: $43,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Altoona, PA earns a median $43,541/year (≈ $20.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Altoona's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $44,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary estimates for sterile processing technicians in Altoona, Pennsylvania, project a median annual pay of $43,541. This figure reflects a range from $35,611 at the 10th percentile to as high as $62,290 at the 90th percentile. These data, derived from BLS state-level figures and adjusted for regional cost considerations, illustrate a market where the emphasis on credentialed professionals has significantly shaped compensation structures. Since 2021, the transition to requiring credentials for hiring has created a competitive environment, which is essential to consider for those entering or advancing in the field of sterile processing in Altoona.
About the Altoona Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,611 | $17.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,626 | $17.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,541 | $20.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,159 | $25.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,290 | $29.94 |
Median Salary Position
8.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Altoona
In Altoona, PA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,679 (2026 est.). At $43,541, the local median is 8.76% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Altoona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Altoona Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Altoona median: $43,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Altoona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $45,261 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -8.76% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Altoona, PA earn a median of $43,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.76% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.80% below the Pennsylvania state average of $45,261.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Altoona has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Altoona, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,541 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,703 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,792
2025 BLS Actual
$41,778
2026 Current Est.
$43,541
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Altoona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,792 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,983 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,475 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,658 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,243 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,778 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,378 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Altoona metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,792 (2019) to $41,778 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,586 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Altoona 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) | $35,611 – $36,626 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,626 – $43,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,541 – $53,159 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,159 – $62,290 |
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 Altoona
Looking at the local job market, there are currently nine sterile processing technicians employed in Altoona, where the cost-of-living index stands at 97.4, suggesting that take-home purchasing power can be relatively favorable. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers tend to offer better compensation, particularly as some facilities recognize the value of specialty credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors like shift differentials and the complexity of the procedures handled. To maximize salary potential in the Altoona area, aspiring technicians should focus on obtaining additional certifications and seeking positions in settings that handle a diverse range of surgical trays, as these can lead to more lucrative pay scales.
More salary data for Altoona, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Altoona, PA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Altoona?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Altoona?
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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 $41,778 for sterile processing techniciansin the Altoona 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 Altoona 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