Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Virginia: $42,854 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median sterile processing technician pay sits at $42,854/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 31-9093. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $41,525 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($48,166), Bristol ($47,189), Newport News ($45,720).
In Virginia, the projected average median salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $42,853, which is 10.2% lower than the national median of $47,724. The pay varies significantly across the state, with the highest compensation found in Alexandria at $50,199 and the lowest in Virginia Beach at $38,909, indicating a salary gap of $11,290. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local demand for healthcare services, cost of living variations, and the presence of specialized medical facilities. Virginia's sterile processing technicians should be aware of state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may influence their job prospects and responsibilities. The projected employment growth rate of 4.22% highlights a steady demand for technicians. As the healthcare sector expands, the need for qualified professionals skilled in sterile processing is likely to increase, particularly in cities like Bristol, Newport News, Hampton, and Centreville, which are also listed among the top five cities for salary in 2026, ranging from $49,180 to $47,009. This favorable job market presents opportunities for individuals pursuing a career in sterile processing throughout Virginia.
Virginia Sterile Processing Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $27,274 (lowest entry-level) to $75,459 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia sterile processing technicians earn 10.2% less than the national median ($-4,870/year difference).
Virginia Sterile Processing Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Sterile Processing Technician salaries in Virginia range from $34,706 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,380 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $42,854. The Virginia median is $4,870 below the US national median of $47,724. The average hourly rate is $20.60/hr. Approximately 1,385 sterile processing technicians are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$35,370
2025 BLS Actual
$41,118
2026 Current Est.
$42,854
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,801 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,824 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,585 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,854 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,662 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 16.3% from $35,370 (2019) to $41,118 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,662 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,292 (26.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $38,909 |
| Chesapeake | $39,061 |
| Norfolk | $39,490 |
| Falls Church | $43,596 |
| Herndon | $44,290 |
Best Value Cities for Sterile Processing Technicians in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for sterile processing technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $50,199 | 103.2 | $48,642 |
| Richmond | $46,663 | 97.858 | $47,684 |
| Bristol | $49,180 | 103.2 | $47,655 |
| Newport News | $47,649 | 103.2 | $46,172 |
| Hampton | $47,229 | 103.2 | $45,765 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $34,706 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $42,854 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $60,380 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $50,199 |
| 2 | Bristol | $49,180 |
| 3 | Newport News | $47,649 |
| 4 | Hampton | $47,229 |
| 5 | Centreville | $47,009 |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $46,892 |
| 7 | Roanoke | $46,877 |
| 8 | Lynchburg | $46,874 |
| 9 | Burke | $46,691 |
| 10 | Richmond | $46,663 |
| 11 | Harrisonburg | $46,594 |
| 12 | Suffolk | $46,488 |
| 13 | Tuckahoe | $46,356 |
| 14 | Ashburn | $46,290 |
| 15 | McLean | $46,287 |
| 16 | Reston | $46,237 |
| 17 | Danville | $46,228 |
| 18 | Fredericksburg | $46,030 |
| 19 | Dale City | $46,020 |
| 20 | Manassas | $45,971 |
| 21 | Salem | $45,843 |
| 22 | Leesburg | $45,777 |
| 23 | Portsmouth | $45,750 |
| 24 | Mechanicsville | $45,678 |
| 25 | Springfield | $45,516 |
| 26 | Woodbridge | $45,453 |
| 27 | Sterling | $45,366 |
| 28 | Staunton | $45,333 |
| 29 | Charlottesville | $45,318 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $45,308 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $45,255 |
| 32 | Radford | $45,221 |
| 33 | Fairfax | $45,140 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $44,919 |
| 35 | Annandale | $44,859 |
| 36 | Winchester | $44,794 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $44,774 |
| 38 | Herndon | $44,290 |
| 39 | Falls Church | $43,596 |
| 40 | Norfolk | $39,490 |
| 41 | Chesapeake | $39,061 |
| 42 | Virginia Beach | $38,909 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore sterile processing technician hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new sterile processing technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced sterile processing technicians.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →Explore More Sterile Processing Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for sterile processing technicians in Virginia?
How does Virginia sterile processing technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level sterile processing technician salary in Virginia?
How many sterile processing technicians are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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