Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Wausau, WI: $46,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Wausau, WI earns a median $46,674/year (≈ $22.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $50,376 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Wausau, Wisconsin, can expect a median annual salary of $46,674, positioning them slightly below the national median of $47,724. The salary range for these professionals extends from $38,189 to $57,209, reflecting the diverse roles available within this essential field. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, indicates that evening and overnight shift differentials significantly influence compensation levels due to the high demand for surgical tray turnover during these hours. This job market in Wausau, characterized by a local emphasis on credentialing, is poised for growth, particularly with the increasing importance of specialized skills in sterile processing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,189 | $18.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,674 | $22.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,674 | $22.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,595 | $23.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,209 | $27.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,020 (2026 est.). At $46,674, the local median is 2.2% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Wausau median: $46,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $47,289 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -2.20% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Wausau, WI earn a median of $46,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,289.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau has a cost of living 7.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.651 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $46,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,376 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,190
2025 BLS Actual
$44,784
2026 Current Est.
$46,674
2019–2027 Growth
+46.6%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,428 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,884 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 34.9% from $33,190 (2019) to $44,784 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,454 (46.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $38,189 – $46,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,674 – $46,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,674 – $49,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,595 – $57,209 |
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 Wausau
Currently, around 40 sterile processing technicians are employed in the Wausau area, contributing to a stable job market that favors those with specialized credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The cost of living index in Wausau is 92.651, indicating a lower-than-average living expense, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Among the leading employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally offer the highest pay, driven by the complexity of their operations and trauma center requirements. Pay differences often arise from factors such as shift differentials, the necessity for additional certifications, and whether the technician works in a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center. To maximize earning potential in this competitive environment, pursuing advanced credentials and considering roles in settings that operate around-the-clock can provide better compensation opportunities in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Wausau?
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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 $44,784 for sterile processing techniciansin the Wausau 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, 4-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