Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Cincinnati vs Hilliard: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$48,155
$23.15/hr
Hilliard, OH
$42,768
$20.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHHilliard, OH
Median Salary$48,155$42,768
Hourly Rate$23.15$20.56
Entry Level (P10)$38,189$33,692
25th Percentile$40,031$35,117
75th Percentile$49,945$51,358
Top Earner (P90)$60,792$59,936
Total Employed7809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($48,155) and Hilliard ($42,768) sterile processing technician salaries.CincinnatiHilliardMedian Salary$48,155$42,768Entry Level (P10)$38,189$33,692Top Earner (P90)$60,792$59,936US Median $47,724

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Hilliard is $5,387 (12.60%). Cincinnati's median is +0.90% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $22,603,Hilliard spans $26,244. Hilliard has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$38,189
P25$40,031
Median$48,155
P75$49,945
P90 (Top)$60,792
Hilliard
P10 (Entry)$33,692
P25$35,117
Median$42,768
P75$51,358
P90 (Top)$59,936

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($50,493 effective) pays 7.08% more than Hilliard ($47,153 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $48,155
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $50,493
Hilliard
Nominal: $42,768
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,153

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,155/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,792)
  • Larger job market (780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,493)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hilliard if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Cincinnati grew 22.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Hilliard over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+22.7%

$37,660 (2019) → $46,205 (2025)

Hilliard, OH

+13.8%

$36,057 (2024) → $41,036 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Cincinnati or Hilliard?

Cincinnati has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $48,155/year, compared to Hilliard at $42,768/year — a difference of $5,387 (12.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Hilliard?

Cincinnati sterile processing technicians earn $23.15/hr while Hilliard hygienists earn $20.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Hilliard as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Hilliard. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $50,493, Hilliard = $47,153), job availability (780 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Cincinnati vs Hilliard?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $38,189 in Cincinnati and $33,692 in Hilliard. The Cincinnati 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