Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Des Moines, WA: $47,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Des Moines, WA earns a median $47,631/year (≈ $22.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $44,349 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Earning a competitive salary as a sterile processing technician in Des Moines, Washington, is closely tied to the demands of shift differentials and the need for rapid turnover of surgical trays during evening and overnight hours. The median annual salary is projected to reach $47,631 in 2026, with a range spanning from $37,177 at the lower end to $68,030 at the high end. These figures, which are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price variations, reflect the unique dynamics of the Des Moines job market. Technicians employed in this area can expect compensation that mirrors the intense and specialized nature of the role, particularly in hospitals and surgical centers where such demands are heightened.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,177 | $17.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,913 | $19.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,631 | $22.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,977 | $27.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,030 | $32.70 |
Median Salary Position
0.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,853 (2026 est.). At $47,631, the local median is 0.19% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $47,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $48,063 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -0.19% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $47,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.19% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $48,063.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $44,349 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,872
2025 BLS Actual
$45,702
2026 Current Est.
$47,631
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,872 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,175 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,743 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,383 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,716 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,702 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,641 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $35,872 (2019) to $45,702 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,641 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,769 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $37,177 – $39,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,913 – $47,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,631 – $57,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,977 – $68,030 |
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 Des Moines
The local job market for sterile processing technicians in Des Moines consists of seven employed professionals, which indicates a niche but potentially strong market for this occupation. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the financial landscape requires technicians to consider their take-home purchasing power carefully. Among local employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally provide the highest wages, driven by the critical nature of their operations and the complexity of the procedures involved. Pay disparities within the field are influenced by several factors, such as shift differentials, the presence of specialty certifications like CRCST + CIS + CER, and whether an employee works in a supervisory role or at a trauma center. To maximize earnings, technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications and gaining experience in high-demand settings, especially those that operate during less desirable hours, to position themselves favorably within the sterile processing technician pay scale in Des Moines, WA.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Des Moines?
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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 $45,702 for sterile processing techniciansin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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