Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Kennewick, WA: $48,075 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Kennewick, WA earns a median $48,075/year (≈ $23.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $48,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Kennewick, Washington, is estimated to be $48,075, which corresponds closely to the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this role spans from $39,140 at the 10th percentile to $75,859 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from BLS OEWS surveys. Following the credential-required hiring shift that took place post-2021, there has been an increasing demand for skilled professionals in this field. This change has influenced salary structures in Kennewick's healthcare landscape, as employers seek qualified candidates who hold the requisite certifications to ensure compliance and quality in sterile processing departments.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,811 | $20.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,075 | $23.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,201 | $29.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,859 | $36.47 |
Median Salary Position
0.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,719 (2026 est.). At $48,075, the local median is 0.74% above the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Kennewick Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $48,075/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $47,724 | +0.74% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $48,075 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.74% higher than the national median of $47,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,075 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,037 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,450
2025 BLS Actual
$46,128
2026 Current Est.
$48,075
2019–2027 Growth
+54.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,075 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,103 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 42.2% from $32,450 (2019) to $46,128 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,103 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,653 (54.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $39,140 – $41,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,811 – $48,075 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,075 – $61,201 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,201 – $75,859 |
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 Kennewick
With approximately 70 sterile processing technicians employed in the Kennewick area, the local job market reflects steady growth. The cost of living index at 100.079 indicates that residents experience a slightly above-average living expense, potentially affecting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, hospital sterile processing departments tend to offer the highest salaries, typically linked to the more complex demands of trauma care and evening shifts necessitating shift differentials. Additional compensation can be obtained through credential stacking, such as obtaining the CRCST, CIS, and CER designations in accordance with evolving state registration laws. For those looking to maximize their earnings, gaining experience in specialized surgical centers or third-party sterile processing services can greatly enhance pay, driven by skill sets that extend beyond basic processing duties.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 $46,128 for sterile processing techniciansin the Kennewick 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