Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Centreville vs Richmond: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Centreville, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centreville, VA
$47,009
$22.61/hr
Richmond, VA
$46,663
$22.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCentreville, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$47,009$46,663
Hourly Rate$22.61$22.43
Entry Level (P10)$34,497$34,838
25th Percentile$39,623$40,891
75th Percentile$58,925$48,144
Top Earner (P90)$70,596$58,210
Total Employed14300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centreville ($47,009) and Richmond ($46,663) sterile processing technician salaries.CentrevilleRichmondMedian Salary$47,009$46,663Entry Level (P10)$34,497$34,838Top Earner (P90)$70,596$58,210US Median $47,724

Verdict

Centreville, VA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Centreville and Richmond is $346 (0.74%). Centreville's median is -1.50% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centreville spans $36,099,Richmond spans $23,372. Centreville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Centreville
P10 (Entry)$34,497
P25$39,623
Median$47,009
P75$58,925
P90 (Top)$70,596
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$34,838
P25$40,891
Median$46,663
P75$48,144
P90 (Top)$58,210

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($47,684 effective) pays 4.68% more than Centreville ($45,551 effective).

Centreville
Nominal: $47,009
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,551
Richmond
Nominal: $46,663
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $47,684

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centreville if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,009/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,596)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Larger job market (300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,684)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Centreville grew -0.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.0% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Centreville, VA

+-0.1%

$45,146 (2024) → $45,106 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+9.0%

$41,070 (2019) → $44,774 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Centreville or Richmond?

Centreville has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $47,009/year, compared to Richmond at $46,663/year — a difference of $346 (0.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centreville and Richmond?

Centreville sterile processing technicians earn $22.61/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $22.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Centreville to Richmond as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centreville and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centreville = $45,551, Richmond = $47,684), job availability (14 vs 300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Centreville vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $34,497 in Centreville and $34,838 in Richmond. The Richmond 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