Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Puerto Rico: $34,148 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $34,148/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,531 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($32,765).
In Puerto Rico, sterile processing technicians earn an average median salary of $34,148 as of 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724, presenting a salary gap of 28.4%. Additionally, San Juan is both the highest and lowest paying city, reflecting a lack of salary variation within the metropolitan area. The relatively uniform salary may be attributed to the limited number of operating healthcare facilities and a smaller job market for this specialty, with only 90 sterile processing technicians employed across the region. Factors such as state licensing requirements and practice laws can influence the roles and responsibilities of these technicians, which can affect job availability and pay. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%, the demand for sterile processing technicians in Puerto Rico shows positive signs, driven increasingly by the need for healthcare services as the population ages. However, the overall lower salary in Puerto Rico compared to national figures may also reflect the broader economic conditions on the island. It's essential for aspiring technicians to consider these dynamics when pursuing a career in this field, particularly regarding financial expectations and job opportunities.
Puerto Rico Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $21,851 (lowest entry-level) to $46,344 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico sterile processing technicians earn 28.45% less than the national median ($-13,576/year difference).
Puerto Rico Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Puerto Rico range from $21,851 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $46,344 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $34,148. The Puerto Rico median is $13,576 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $16.41/hr. Approximately 90 sterile processing technicians are employed across 1 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$21,640
2025 BLS Actual
$32,765
2026 Current Est.
$34,148
2019–2027 Growth
+64.5%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $20,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $27,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,765 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,148 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,589 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 51.4% from $21,640 (2019) to $32,765 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,949 (64.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 1 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $21,851 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $34,148 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $46,344 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | $34,148 |
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Puerto Rico?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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