Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Boise City vs Lewiston: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Boise City, ID and Lewiston, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$46,474
$22.34/hr
Lewiston, ID
$41,988
$20.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDLewiston, ID
Median Salary$46,474$41,988
Hourly Rate$22.34$20.19
Entry Level (P10)$38,659$34,335
25th Percentile$39,720$36,208
75th Percentile$58,290$51,196
Top Earner (P90)$59,491$60,114
Total Employed2608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($46,474) and Lewiston ($41,988) sterile processing technician salaries.Boise CityLewistonMedian Salary$46,474$41,988Entry Level (P10)$38,659$34,335Top Earner (P90)$59,491$60,114US Median $47,724

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lewiston.

The salary gap between Boise City and Lewiston is $4,486 (10.68%). Boise City's median is -2.62% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $20,832,Lewiston spans $25,779. Lewiston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$38,659
P25$39,720
Median$46,474
P75$58,290
P90 (Top)$59,491
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$34,335
P25$36,208
Median$41,988
P75$51,196
P90 (Top)$60,114

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($47,234 effective) pays 7.21% more than Lewiston ($44,059 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $46,474
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $47,234
Lewiston
Nominal: $41,988
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $44,059

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,474/year)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,234)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,114)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Boise City grew 48.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+48.9%

$29,940 (2019) → $44,592 (2025)

Lewiston, ID

+6.6%

$37,800 (2023) → $40,288 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Boise City or Lewiston?

Boise City has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $46,474/year, compared to Lewiston at $41,988/year — a difference of $4,486 (10.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Lewiston?

Boise City sterile processing technicians earn $22.34/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $20.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Lewiston as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $47,234, Lewiston = $44,059), job availability (260 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Boise City vs Lewiston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $38,659 in Boise City and $34,335 in Lewiston. The Boise City area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.22% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov