Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Appleton, WI: $47,485 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Appleton, WI earns a median $47,485/year (≈ $22.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $51,380 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Appleton, Wisconsin, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,485, which is slightly below the projected national median of $47,724. The salary range for this role spans from $35,158 at the lower end to $58,219 for those at the higher end of the pay spectrum. This data is derived from the official 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting the evolving nature of the job market in Appleton, particularly since the credential-required hiring shift that took place post-2021. As a growing number of healthcare facilities now prioritize certified personnel, those seeking employment as sterile processing technicians in Appleton will find that specialized credentials can significantly impact their compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,158 | $16.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,702 | $20.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,485 | $22.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,247 | $25.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,219 | $27.99 |
Median Salary Position
0.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,061 (2026 est.). At $47,485, the local median is 0.5% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be above the median
How Appleton Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Appleton median: $47,485/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,296 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -0.50% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Appleton, WI earn a median of $47,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $47,485 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,380 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,762
2025 BLS Actual
$45,562
2026 Current Est.
$47,485
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,762 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,061 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,507 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,562 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,485 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,489 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $35,762 (2019) to $45,562 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,489 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,727 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $35,158 – $42,702 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,702 – $47,485 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,485 – $52,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,247 – $58,219 |
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 Appleton
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Appleton currently employs about 40 professionals working across various health care facilities, including hospitals and specialty surgical centers. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 92.419, means that salary figures translate favorably into purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay include hospital sterile processing departments and large multi-doctor dental specialty practices, which typically provide better salary prospects compared to ambulatory surgery centers. Salary differences are often driven by factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight work, the combination of specialized credentials—such as CRCST, CIS, and CER—and roles with supervisory responsibilities. For candidates aiming to maximize their earning potential in Appleton, obtaining multiple credentials and seeking positions in trauma centers may provide the best opportunities for advancement in the sterile processing field.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $45,562 for sterile processing techniciansin the Appleton 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, 2-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