Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Mequon, WI: $44,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Mequon, WI earns a median $44,208/year (≈ $21.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Mequon's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $47,332 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in Mequon, Wisconsin, stands at $44,208, reflecting a workforce that has increasingly emphasized credentialing since 2021. This shift in hiring practices has culminated in a competitive salary range from $37,322 at the 10th percentile to $58,928 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities within the field. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional economic conditions, highlight the local market’s endeavor to attract skilled professionals amidst a national median annual salary of $47,724, reinforcing the importance of credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The salary landscape in Mequon is shaped by job demand and the evolving standards for sterile processing technicians, which are reflective of broader trends in healthcare employment.
About the Mequon Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,322 | $17.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,879 | $18.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,208 | $21.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,573 | $24.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,928 | $28.33 |
Median Salary Position
7.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mequon
In Mequon, WI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,606 (2026 est.). At $44,208, the local median is 7.37% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mequon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mequon Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Mequon median: $44,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mequon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,281 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -7.37% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Mequon, WI earn a median of $44,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.37% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 6.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,281.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mequon has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mequon, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,208 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $47,332 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$33,294
2025 BLS Actual
$42,418
2026 Current Est.
$44,208
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Mequon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,294 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,887 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,266 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,152 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,074 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mequon metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,294 (2019) to $42,418 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,074 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,780 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mequon 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) | $37,322 – $38,879 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,879 – $44,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,208 – $51,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,573 – $58,928 |
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 Mequon
The local job market for sterile processing technicians in Mequon features a small but focused group of five professionals, indicating potential job stability but limited competition. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, Mequon presents a favorable environment that enhances the purchasing power for those in this profession. Notably, hospitals generally provide the highest pay compared to ambulatory surgery centers, specialty surgical centers, and third-party service providers, particularly for those who hold multiple certifications or take on supervisory roles. Factors driving the pay disparity in the area include shift differentials associated with evening and overnight operations, specialty credentials, and the trauma center designation of some local facilities. For technicians looking to maximize their earnings, seeking out these higher-paying employers and obtaining additional credentials can be beneficial strategies in navigating the job market.
More salary data for Mequon, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Mequon, WI in 2026?
Is Mequon, WI a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Mequon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Mequon?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Mequon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $42,418 for sterile processing techniciansin the Mequon 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 Mequon 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