Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Nashville, TN: $49,286 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Nashville, TN earns a median $49,286/year (≈ $23.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $51,159 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, Tennessee, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $49,286, positioning it slightly above the national median of $47,724. The salary range illustrates a spectrum of compensation, with entry-level positions earning around $37,279 and experienced professionals reaching up to $61,912 annually. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 data and reflect the dynamics of the local healthcare market, where evening and overnight shifts for surgical tray turnover can significantly impact pay. The growing need for skilled technicians aligns with Nashville's reputation as a healthcare hub, suggesting robust job opportunities in the sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,279 | $17.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,213 | $21.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,286 | $23.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,520 | $28.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,912 | $29.77 |
Median Salary Position
3.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,633 (2026 est.). At $49,286, the local median is 3.27% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Nashville median: $49,286/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $45,890 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +3.27% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Nashville, TN earn a median of $49,286 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.27% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 7.40% above the Tennessee state average of $45,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $49,286 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,159 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,120
2025 BLS Actual
$47,290
2026 Current Est.
$49,286
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,286 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,365 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 38.6% from $34,120 (2019) to $47,290 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,365 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,245 (50.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $37,279 – $45,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,213 – $49,286 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,286 – $59,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,520 – $61,912 |
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 Nashville
The local job market for sterile processing technicians in Nashville is solid, with approximately 540 individuals already employed in the field. Despite a cost-of-living index of 96.338, which indicates affordability relative to the national average, take-home pay can be influenced by factors such as shift differentials and the demand for certifications. Hospitals typically offer some of the highest compensation, especially for those with stacked credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. Ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical practices also provide competitive salaries, but the differences in pay can often be traced back to specific roles, including supervisory positions or variations in the facility type, such as trauma centers versus general hospitals. For those seeking to maximize earnings, enhancing qualifications with additional certifications and opting for shifts during evenings or weekends can provide a significant financial boost in this evolving market.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 $47,290 for sterile processing techniciansin the Nashville 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, 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