Sterile Processing Technician Salary in South Dakota: $41,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $41,259/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $44,460 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($43,642), Watertown ($39,226), Yankton ($39,214).
Considering a career as a sterile processing technician in South Dakota presents both opportunities and challenges. In 2026, the average median salary for this role is projected to be $41,259, which is approximately 13.5% lower than the national median of $47,724. There is a noticeable salary range within the state, with Rapid City offering the highest pay at $45,484, while Huron has the lowest at $39,210. This difference can largely be attributed to the cost of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the size of the healthcare facilities in each area. In South Dakota, the job market for sterile processing technicians is expected to grow, with a projected growth rate of 4.22% annually. Demand drivers include an increasing emphasis on infection control in healthcare facilities and the expansion of medical services across the state. The South Dakota workforce requires that technicians meet certain state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, influencing both job availability and salary levels. Top cities such as Watertown, Yankton, and Mitchell also offer competitive salaries around $40,000, showing that there are opportunities beyond the highest-paying area. Overall, while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the growth outlook in South Dakota remains positive for this profession.
South Dakota Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $30,856 (lowest entry-level) to $58,860 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota sterile processing technicians earn 13.55% less than the national median ($-6,465/year difference).
South Dakota Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in South Dakota range from $33,012 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $52,962 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $41,259. The South Dakota median is $6,465 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $19.84/hr. Approximately 425 sterile processing technicians are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,530
2025 BLS Actual
$39,588
2026 Current Est.
$41,259
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,094 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,588 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,000 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 25.6% from $31,530 (2019) to $39,588 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,470 (36.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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 Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $39,210 |
| Vermillion | $39,270 |
| Brookings | $39,279 |
| Pierre | $39,944 |
| Sioux Falls | $40,301 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $45,484 | 89.16 | $51,014 |
| Sioux Falls | $40,301 | 90.631 | $44,467 |
| Watertown | $40,881 | 92.8 | $44,053 |
| Yankton | $40,869 | 92.8 | $44,040 |
| Spearfish | $40,767 | 92.8 | $43,930 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $33,012 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $41,259 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $52,962 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $45,484 |
| 2 | Watertown | $40,881 |
| 3 | Yankton | $40,869 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $40,767 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $40,473 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $40,405 |
| 7 | Sioux Falls | $40,301 |
| 8 | Pierre | $39,944 |
| 9 | Brookings | $39,279 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $39,270 |
| 11 | Huron | $39,210 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
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 Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in South Dakota?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota 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 Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 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