Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Cleveland, TN: $44,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Cleveland, TN earns a median $44,816/year (≈ $21.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $48,819 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cleveland, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $44,816. This figure positions the local workforce slightly below the national median of $47,724, highlighting a pay differential of 6.09%. The salary range locally is quite varied, offering a spectrum from $36,399 at the 10th percentile to $65,400 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the growing demand for specialized skills in the field, particularly in endoscopic reprocessing, which adds to potential compensation. Given Cleveland's healthcare landscape, including several hospitals and surgical centers, this occupation remains competitive despite the local cost of living being lower than the national average.
About the Cleveland Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,399 | $17.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,498 | $18.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,816 | $21.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,499 | $26.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,400 | $31.44 |
Median Salary Position
6.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, TN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,001 (2026 est.). At $44,816, the local median is 6.09% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $44,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $45,871 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.09% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Cleveland, TN earn a median of $44,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.09% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.30% below the Tennessee state average of $45,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,819 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% 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
$33,752
2025 BLS Actual
$43,001
2026 Current Est.
$44,816
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,978 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,455 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,394 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,865 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,707 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,752 (2019) to $43,001 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,707 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,955 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $36,399 – $38,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,498 – $44,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,816 – $55,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,499 – $65,400 |
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 Cleveland
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Cleveland is modest, with only 10 professionals currently employed in the area. This size suggests limited competition but also underscores the importance of specialized credentials like CRCST and CER, which can significantly enhance earning potential. As the cost-of-living index stands at 91.8, technicians can expect relatively good purchasing power, although salaries are slightly suppressed compared to national figures. Among the local employers, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest pay, while ambulatory surgical centers are gaining traction for their competitive wages. Factors such as evening shift differentials and required credentials can contribute to the disparities in salary, making it essential for technicians to focus on advancing their qualifications and seeking opportunities in trauma centers or specialty services. Maximizing pay in this Cleveland market hinges on continuous education and potentially advancing into supervisory roles or acquiring additional certifications.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Cleveland, TN in 2026?
Is Cleveland, TN a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Cleveland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Cleveland?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Cleveland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $43,001 for sterile processing techniciansin the Cleveland 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 Cleveland 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