Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Rapid City, SD: $45,484 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Rapid City, SD earns a median $45,484/year (≈ $21.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $51,014 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the compensation for sterile processing technicians in Rapid City, South Dakota is projected to reach a median annual salary of $45,484. This figure sits below the national median of $47,724, suggesting a pay discrepancy that may arise from local market conditions and the rising demand for credentialed technicians following the 2021 hiring shift. Technicians in this field can expect a salary range from $38,320 at the 10th percentile to $58,860 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse landscape of employment opportunities. The Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data highlights a robust job market for this profession in Rapid City, where the need for skilled technicians is increasingly recognized, underscoring the importance of credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER in secure employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,320 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,260 | $18.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,484 | $21.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,144 | $22.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,860 | $28.30 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,540 (2026 est.). At $45,484, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rapid City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $45,484/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $42,508 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -4.69% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $45,484 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.00% above the South Dakota state average of $42,508.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $45,484 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,014 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,255
2025 BLS Actual
$43,642
2026 Current Est.
$45,484
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,255 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,968 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,642 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,484 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $34,255 (2019) to $43,642 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,148 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $38,320 – $39,260 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,260 – $45,484 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,484 – $47,144 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,144 – $58,860 |
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 Rapid City
Examining the local job market, Rapid City employs around 80 sterile processing technicians, indicating a steady demand for these professionals. The cost of living index, currently at 89.16, suggests that wages stretch further than in many other areas, which can positively impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices are among the key employers, with salary variations influenced by factors like shift differentials for evening and overnight work, and the presence of specialty credentials. To maximize earning potential, technicians should focus on acquiring advanced certifications which can lead to supervisory roles or positions in trauma centers. Fostering networking with local healthcare providers can also uncover valuable opportunities, ensuring that technicians not only understand how much they can make in Rapid City but also align their skills with the evolving demands of the job market.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $43,642 for sterile processing techniciansin the Rapid City 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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