Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $38,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $38,909/year (≈ $18.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $39,727 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Virginia Beach can expect to earn a median annual salary of $38,909, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724. The salaries in the region range from $34,878 at the 10th percentile up to $56,118 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse nature of roles within this field. Variations in pay are often influenced by factors such as shift differentials, particularly in evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, which can lead to increased compensation for those working irregular hours. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and illustrates the competitive landscape for sterile processing technician pay in Virginia Beach, VA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,878 | $16.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,200 | $18.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,909 | $18.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,314 | $23.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,118 | $26.98 |
Median Salary Position
18.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,240 (2026 est.). At $38,909, the local median is 18.47% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Virginia Beach Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $38,909/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $47,278 | -17.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -18.47% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $38,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.47% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 17.70% below the Virginia state average of $47,278.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,909 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,727 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,940
2025 BLS Actual
$37,334
2026 Current Est.
$38,909
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,940 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,334 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,551 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 16.9% from $31,940 (2019) to $37,334 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,611 (26.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $34,878 – $38,200 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,200 – $38,909 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,909 – $48,314 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,314 – $56,118 |
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 Virginia Beach
With approximately 560 sterile processing technicians currently employed in the area, Virginia Beach offers a solid job market for those entering the field. The cost-of-living index of 97.941 indicates that, while salaries are lower than the national average, the economic conditions allow for reasonable purchasing power. Major employers such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers often pay the most. Salary variability arises from factors such as shift differentials for evening work, credential stacking (including CRCST and CIS certifications), and roles like supervisory positions. To maximize earning potential, candidates should consider acquiring additional credentials from HSPA, enhancing their qualifications for higher-paying roles, and seek employment with local trauma centers, which tend to offer better compensation packages.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Virginia Beach, VA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Virginia Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Virginia Beach?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Virginia Beach?
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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 $37,334 for sterile processing techniciansin the Virginia Beach 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