Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Cleveland vs Xenia: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$45,323
$21.79/hr
Xenia, OH
$42,820
$20.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHXenia, OH
Median Salary$45,323$42,820
Hourly Rate$21.79$20.58
Entry Level (P10)$38,130$33,999
25th Percentile$39,040$36,174
75th Percentile$48,244$51,546
Top Earner (P90)$58,640$60,003
Total Employed6807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($45,323) and Xenia ($42,820) sterile processing technician salaries.ClevelandXeniaMedian Salary$45,323$42,820Entry Level (P10)$38,130$33,999Top Earner (P90)$58,640$60,003US Median $47,724

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Xenia.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Xenia is $2,503 (5.85%). Cleveland's median is -5.03% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $20,510,Xenia spans $26,004. Xenia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,130
P25$39,040
Median$45,323
P75$48,244
P90 (Top)$58,640
Xenia
P10 (Entry)$33,999
P25$36,174
Median$42,820
P75$51,546
P90 (Top)$60,003

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($48,255 effective) pays 2.21% more than Xenia ($47,211 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $45,323
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $48,255
Xenia
Nominal: $42,820
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $47,211

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,323/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,255)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Xenia if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,003)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Cleveland grew 19.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.8% growth in Xenia over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+19.4%

$36,430 (2019) → $43,488 (2025)

Xenia, OH

+13.8%

$36,101 (2024) → $41,086 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Cleveland or Xenia?

Cleveland has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,323/year, compared to Xenia at $42,820/year — a difference of $2,503 (5.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Xenia?

Cleveland sterile processing technicians earn $21.79/hr while Xenia hygienists earn $20.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Xenia as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Xenia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $48,255, Xenia = $47,211), job availability (680 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Cleveland vs Xenia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $38,130 in Cleveland and $33,999 in Xenia. The Cleveland 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