Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Centerville vs Columbus: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Centerville, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centerville, OH
$41,533
$19.97/hr
Columbus, OH
$45,843
$22.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCenterville, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$41,533$45,843
Hourly Rate$19.97$22.04
Entry Level (P10)$33,910$37,139
25th Percentile$35,687$38,500
75th Percentile$49,198$49,205
Top Earner (P90)$56,567$58,330
Total Employed6550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centerville ($41,533) and Columbus ($45,843) sterile processing technician salaries.CentervilleColumbusMedian Salary$41,533$45,843Entry Level (P10)$33,910$37,139Top Earner (P90)$56,567$58,330US Median $47,724

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centerville.

The salary gap between Centerville and Columbus is $4,310 (10.38%). Columbus's median is -3.94% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centerville spans $22,657,Columbus spans $21,191. Centerville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centerville
P10 (Entry)$33,910
P25$35,687
Median$41,533
P75$49,198
P90 (Top)$56,567
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$37,139
P25$38,500
Median$45,843
P75$49,205
P90 (Top)$58,330

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($48,019 effective) pays 4.86% more than Centerville ($45,792 effective).

Centerville
Nominal: $41,533
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $45,792
Columbus
Nominal: $45,843
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $48,019

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centerville if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,843/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,330)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,019)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Centerville grew 13.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.1% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Centerville, OH

+13.8%

$35,016 (2024) → $39,851 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+18.1%

$37,250 (2019) → $43,987 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Centerville or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,843/year, compared to Centerville at $41,533/year — a difference of $4,310 (10.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centerville and Columbus?

Centerville sterile processing technicians earn $19.97/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $22.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centerville to Columbus as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centerville and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centerville = $45,792, Columbus = $48,019), job availability (6 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Centerville vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $33,910 in Centerville and $37,139 in Columbus. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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