Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Lacey, WA: $43,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Lacey, WA earns a median $43,344/year (≈ $20.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $40,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technician pay in Lacey, WA, offers a competitive median annual salary of $43,344, reflecting the demand for skilled professionals in this field. The salary range stretches from $34,364 at the lower end (P10) to $65,479 for those in the top percentile (P90), illustrating the market's potential for advancement. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take into account local variations in living costs and employment dynamics. Notably, evening and overnight shifts often come with higher pay due to the urgent need for surgical tray turnover during these hours, making Lacey an attractive location for those seeking to maximize their earnings in the sterile processing profession.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,364 | $16.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,833 | $17.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,344 | $20.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,062 | $25.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,479 | $31.48 |
Median Salary Position
9.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,115 (2026 est.). At $43,344, the local median is 9.18% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Lacey median: $43,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $48,053 | -9.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -9.18% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Lacey, WA earn a median of $43,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.18% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 9.80% below the Washington state average of $48,053.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $43,344 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $40,358 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,643
2025 BLS Actual
$41,589
2026 Current Est.
$43,344
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,643 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,829 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,324 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,166 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,589 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,643 (2019) to $41,589 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,530 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $34,364 – $36,833 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,833 – $43,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,344 – $52,062 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,062 – $65,479 |
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 Lacey
The job market in Lacey shows signs of growth with 12 sterile processing technicians employed locally, underpinned by a cost-of-living index of 107.4, which suggests that living expenses are slightly higher than the national average. This context affects take-home pay for those in the field, as it can diminish purchasing power despite the relatively attractive salaries. Hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer various compensation packages, with specialized practices often providing superior pay scales, particularly to those with advanced certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER. Shift differentials for evenings and nights can significantly contribute to salary increases, creating a diverse pay spectrum that separates entry-level positions from those of supervisors or dedicated trauma centers. For technicians aiming to enhance their earning potential, obtaining additional credentials and considering employment in higher-paying specialties are wise strategies in Lacey's competitive market.
More salary data for Lacey, 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 $41,589 for sterile processing techniciansin the Lacey 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 Lacey 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