Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Essex Junction, VT: $44,829 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Essex Junction, VT earns a median $44,829/year (≈ $21.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Essex Junction's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $43,313 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Vermont state average.

$44,829
Median Annual Salary
$21.55/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$35,107
Entry Level (P10)
$63,403
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Essex Junction, VT — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Essex Junction, VT sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Essex Junction, Vermont, the projected salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 stands at $44,829, which reflects a modest 6.07% decrease compared to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for these roles runs from $35,107 at the 10th percentile to $63,403 at the 90th percentile. Factors such as shift differentials—especially for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover—significantly influence local pay rates. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living. The job market in Essex Junction suggests that opportunities remain stable, creating potential for growth within this vital healthcare sector.

About the Essex Junction Market

Salary estimated from Vermont average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$35,107$16.87
Lower Range (P25)$39,052$18.77
Median (P50)(typical)$44,829$21.55
Upper Range (P75)$54,555$26.23
Top Earners (P90)$63,403$30.48

Median Salary Position

$35,107$63,403
City Median: $44,829
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

6.07% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Essex Junction

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Essex Junction. The median salary is $44,829, compared to the national median of $47,724.$31.6K$40.3K$49.1K$57.8K$66.6K$35.1K10th Pctl$39.1K25th Pctl$44.8KMedian$54.6K75th Pctl$63.4K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Essex Junction, VT, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,296 (2026 est.). At $44,829, the local median is 6.07% below the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Essex Junction metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$862
per week
$3,736
per month
$44,830
per year

At 40 hours/week in Essex Junction: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Essex Junction Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Essex Junction median: $44,829/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryEssex Junction Pays
Vermont Average$47,438-5.50% less
National Average$47,724-6.07% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Essex Junction ($44,829) with Vermont average ($47,438) and the US national median ($47,724).Essex Junction$44,829Vermont Avg$47,438-5.50%US National$47,724-6.07%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Essex Junction, VT earn a median of $44,829 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.07% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.50% below the Vermont state average of $47,438.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$44,829
Nominal Salary
103.5
CoL Index
$43,313
Adjusted Salary

Essex Junction has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $44,829. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 103.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $43,313, a loss of $1,516.$36.8K$41.3K$45.8K$50.4K$54.9K$44,829NominalSalary$43,313CoL Adjusted(CoL: 103.5) -3.38%US Median $47.7K

Essex Junction, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $44,829 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,313 — a 3.38% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$33,762

2025 BLS Actual

$43,014

2026 Current Est.

$44,829

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Essex Junction (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Essex Junction. Baseline $33,762 in 2025, projected to $46,721 by 2027.$31.2K$35.7K$40.2K$44.8K$49.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$33.8K$35.0K$34.5K$37.4K$40.8K$45.0K$43.0K$44.8K$46.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$33,762Actual
2020$34,988Actual
2021$34,465Actual
2022$37,405Actual
2023$40,832Actual
2024$45,009Actual
2025$43,014Actual
2026(current)$44,829Estimated
2027$46,721Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Essex Junction metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,762 (2019) to $43,014 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,721 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,959 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Essex Junction metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$35,107$39,052
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,052$44,829
5+ years (Experienced)$44,829$54,555
10+ years (Top Earner)$54,555$63,403

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 Essex Junction

Looking at the employment landscape, there are currently six sterile processing technicians in Essex Junction, VT. A cost-of-living index of 103.5 indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the various employers, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest wages compared to ambulatory surgery and specialty centers. The range in pay can be attributed to several factors, including credentialing—which has gained importance since 2021—and the type of facility, with hospitals often paying more due to their higher demands and complexity. For technicians seeking to enhance their earnings, pursuing certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER can be a sound strategy, as additional qualifications are increasingly favored in this evolving industry. In a market where specialized skills are valued, aligning one’s credentials with the current employer demand can result in improved pay prospects in Essex Junction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Essex Junction, VT in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Essex Junction is $44,829/year ($21.55/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $35,107 at entry level (10th percentile) to $63,403 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Essex Junction at 6.1% below the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Essex Junction, VT a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Essex Junction sterile processing technician salaries are 6.1% below the national average and 5.5% below the Vermont state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 103.5, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Essex Junction?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Essex Junction is $44,829, and the 90th percentile earns $63,403. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Essex Junction?

After adjusting for Essex Junction's cost-of-living index of 103.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $44,829 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $43,313 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Essex Junction reduce the effective value of your salary by 3.4% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Essex Junction?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Essex Junction earn a median hourly rate of $21.55, which translates to approximately $44,829/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.87 for entry-level positions to $30.48 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 $43,014 for sterile processing techniciansin the Essex Junction 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 Essex Junction is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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