Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Madison, WI: $49,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Madison, WI earns a median $49,625/year (≈ $23.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $51,009 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the evolving landscape for sterile processing technicians has led to a notable median salary of $49,625 for 2026, reflecting a 3.98% increase compared to the national average of $47,724. Salaries in this field can vary significantly, with a range extending from $41,582 at the lower end (P10) to $60,942 for the upper echelon (P90). This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The shift to requiring credentials for hiring, particularly post-2021, has helped enhance job security and earnings potential as many local healthcare facilities focus on hiring qualified professionals who meet current standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,582 | $19.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,295 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,625 | $23.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,942 | $29.30 |
Median Salary Position
3.98% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,360 (2026 est.). At $49,625, the local median is 3.98% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Madison median: $49,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,307 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +3.98% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Madison, WI earn a median of $49,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.98% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 4.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $49,625 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,009 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,060
2025 BLS Actual
$47,616
2026 Current Est.
$49,625
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,320 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,720 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 25.1% from $38,060 (2019) to $47,616 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,720 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,660 (35.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $41,582 – $48,295 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,295 – $49,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,625 – $59,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,300 – $60,942 |
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 Madison
With around 220 sterile processing technicians employed in the Madison area, the local job market shows a promising outlook supported by a cost-of-living index of 97.287, which is below the national average. This translates to a favorable environment for technicians to maximize take-home pay. Hospitals generally offer the highest salaries when compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty surgical practices, driven by the complexity of the work and the need for additional credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. Factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight roles can further influence salaries, creating a pay spread that reveals significant opportunities for upward mobility. Technicians looking to enhance their compensation in Madison should focus on obtaining additional certifications, pursuing supervisory roles, or seeking employment in trauma centers where the potential for higher earnings is greater.
More salary data for Madison, 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 $47,616 for sterile processing techniciansin the Madison 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