Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Conway, SC: $39,283 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Conway, SC earns a median $39,283/year (≈ $18.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Conway's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $42,932 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Conway, South Carolina, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $39,283 in 2026, which reflects the local demand and operational challenges of evening and overnight shifts that impact surgical tray turnover rates. Salaries for this role can range from $32,491 at the lower end to $53,681 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from state-level data anticipated for 2026, considering regional cost adjustments. When evaluating pay trends, it’s essential to recognize that the sterile processing technician salary in Conway is notably lower than the national median of $47,724, signaling specific market conditions that professionals should understand.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,491 | $15.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,933 | $16.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,283 | $18.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,759 | $22.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,681 | $25.80 |
Median Salary Position
17.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Conway
In Conway, SC, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,190 (2026 est.). At $39,283, the local median is 17.69% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Conway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Conway Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Conway median: $39,283/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Conway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $45,049 | -12.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -17.69% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Conway, SC earn a median of $39,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.69% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 12.80% below the South Carolina state average of $45,049.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Conway has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Conway, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $39,283 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,932 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$29,585
2025 BLS Actual
$37,692
2026 Current Est.
$39,283
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,585 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,659 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,201 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,777 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,692 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,283 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,940 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Conway metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,585 (2019) to $37,692 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,940 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,355 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Conway 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) | $32,491 – $33,933 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,933 – $39,283 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,283 – $46,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,759 – $53,681 |
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 Conway
With only four sterile processing technicians employed in the Conway area, the job market remains relatively niche, which can influence both salary and employment opportunities. The cost of living index stands at 91.5, suggesting that although salaries are lower than the national average, they may still offer reasonable purchasing power in the locality. Hospital sterile processing departments tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for technicians with specialized credentials like CRCST, CIS, or CER. These designations can help command a wage at the upper end of the spectrum. Factors contributing to the differences in pay range include shift differentials associated with evening shifts, the demand for trauma center-related services, and the hierarchical pay structure in various settings, such as hospitals versus ambulatory surgery centers. To maximize earnings in this market, technicians should focus on obtaining multiple certifications and seek positions where advanced skills are rewarded, thereby enhancing their take-home income.
More salary data for Conway, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Conway, SC in 2026?
Is Conway, SC a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Conway?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Conway?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Conway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 $37,692 for sterile processing techniciansin the Conway 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 Conway 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