Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Bellingham, WA: $47,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Bellingham, WA earns a median $47,464/year (≈ $22.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $45,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Bellingham, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $47,464. This figure reflects a growing market that has gradually shifted towards credential-required hiring since 2021, aligning with industry standards and state regulations. The salary range for these professionals spans from $39,130 at the lower end (P10) to $60,501 at the upper end (P90), according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. With a reported hourly median of $22.82, this compensation structure positions Bellingham's sterile processing technician pay slightly below the national median of $47,724 for 2026. The local job market has demonstrated stability, reflecting the ongoing demand for qualified technicians in a field increasingly focused on credentialing and compliance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,130 | $18.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,464 | $22.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,464 | $22.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,464 | $22.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,501 | $29.09 |
Median Salary Position
0.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,371 (2026 est.). At $47,464, the local median is 0.54% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $47,464/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $48,089 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -0.54% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $47,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.30% below the Washington state average of $48,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,464 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,933 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,746
2025 BLS Actual
$45,542
2026 Current Est.
$47,464
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,746 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,045 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,542 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,467 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $35,746 (2019) to $45,542 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,467 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,721 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $39,130 – $47,464 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,464 – $47,464 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,464 – $47,464 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,464 – $60,501 |
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 Bellingham
The local job market shows solid demand for sterile processing technicians, with approximately 70 professionals currently employed in Bellingham. However, the cost of living in this area, reflected by a cost-of-living index of 103.334, suggests that while salaries are competitive, they may not stretch as far as in lower-cost regions. Hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, particularly those with busy sterile processing departments, whereas ambulatory surgery centers and dental specialty practices may have slightly lower pay scales. Factors contributing to the pay spread include differential wages for evening or overnight shifts and the value placed on advanced credentialing such as CRCST, CIS, and CER certifications. To enhance earning potential, candidates can consider pursuing additional specialties or seeking supervisory roles within hospital settings, where pay margins can be more favorable compared to specialty surgical centers.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $45,542 for sterile processing techniciansin the Bellingham 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, 4-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