Sterile Processing Technician Salary in South Carolina: $43,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $43,570/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,617 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greer ($47,899), Anderson ($47,850), Greenville ($46,771).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is projected to be $43,569, which is approximately 8.7% below the national median of $47,724. There is a significant salary disparity between cities within the state. Greer leads with a salary of $49,920, while Florence has the lowest at $30,926, creating a gap of $18,994. This difference is largely driven by local demand for healthcare services, cost of living, and the presence of larger medical facilities in metropolitan areas. South Carolina has specific licensing requirements for sterile processing technicians, which can affect job prospects and salary. The scope of practice laws and training programs in the state help establish a skilled workforce to meet the growing healthcare demands. The job market for sterile processing technicians in the state is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.22%, highlighting an upward trend in opportunities in the field. Key metropolitan areas with notable salaries include Greer ($49,920), Anderson ($49,869), and Greenville ($48,745), while North Charleston and Charleston follow closely at $47,914 and $46,914, respectively. This trend underscores the importance of geographical factors in salary variation across the state.
South Carolina Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $30,926 (lowest entry-level) to $71,564 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina sterile processing technicians earn 8.7% less than the national median ($-4,154/year difference).
South Carolina Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in South Carolina range from $36,172 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $55,200 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,570. The South Carolina median is $4,154 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $20.95/hr. Approximately 1,145 sterile processing technicians are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,359
2025 BLS Actual
$41,805
2026 Current Est.
$43,570
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,359 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,892 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,125 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,968 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,805 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 18.2% from $35,359 (2019) to $41,805 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,049 (28.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Florence | $30,926 |
| Conway | $39,283 |
| Myrtle Beach | $40,020 |
| Clemson | $41,469 |
| Tega Cay | $41,547 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greer | $49,920 | 91.5 | $54,557 |
| Anderson | $49,869 | 91.5 | $54,502 |
| North Charleston | $47,914 | 91.5 | $52,365 |
| Greenville | $48,745 | 93.26 | $52,268 |
| Spartanburg | $45,863 | 91.051 | $50,371 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,172 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $43,570 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $55,200 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greer | $49,920 |
| 2 | Anderson | $49,869 |
| 3 | Greenville | $48,745 |
| 4 | North Charleston | $47,914 |
| 5 | Charleston | $46,914 |
| 6 | Spartanburg | $45,863 |
| 7 | Mount Pleasant | $45,694 |
| 8 | Rock Hill | $44,852 |
| 9 | Hilton Head Island | $44,732 |
| 10 | Aiken | $44,656 |
| 11 | Hanahan | $44,593 |
| 12 | Mauldin | $44,331 |
| 13 | Columbia | $44,203 |
| 14 | Summerville | $44,092 |
| 15 | Simpsonville | $43,366 |
| 16 | Fort Mill | $43,346 |
| 17 | Goose Creek | $43,244 |
| 18 | Sumter | $42,888 |
| 19 | Bluffton | $42,852 |
| 20 | Lexington | $42,536 |
| 21 | Easley | $41,778 |
| 22 | Tega Cay | $41,547 |
| 23 | Clemson | $41,469 |
| 24 | Myrtle Beach | $40,020 |
| 25 | Conway | $39,283 |
| 26 | Florence | $30,926 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in South Carolina cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in South Carolina?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina 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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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