Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Davenport vs Marion: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Davenport, IA and Marion, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$39,951
$19.21/hr
Marion, IA
$39,844
$19.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarion, IA
Median Salary$39,951$39,844
Hourly Rate$19.21$19.16
Entry Level (P10)$34,248$30,721
25th Percentile$38,659$33,016
75th Percentile$46,994$48,153
Top Earner (P90)$53,138$56,191
Total Employed506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($39,951) and Marion ($39,844) sterile processing technician salaries.DavenportMarionMedian Salary$39,951$39,844Entry Level (P10)$34,248$30,721Top Earner (P90)$53,138$56,191US Median $47,724

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marion.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marion is $107 (0.27%). Davenport's median is -16.29% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $18,890,Marion spans $25,470. Marion has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$34,248
P25$38,659
Median$39,951
P75$46,994
P90 (Top)$53,138
Marion
P10 (Entry)$30,721
P25$33,016
Median$39,844
P75$48,153
P90 (Top)$56,191

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($44,849 effective) pays 1.76% more than Marion ($44,075 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $39,951
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $44,849
Marion
Nominal: $39,844
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $44,075

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,951/year)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,849)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marion if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($56,191)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Davenport grew 4.7% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -2.3% growth in Marion over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+4.7%

$36,600 (2021) → $38,333 (2025)

Marion, IA

+-2.3%

$39,112 (2024) → $38,231 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Davenport or Marion?

Davenport has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $39,951/year, compared to Marion at $39,844/year — a difference of $107 (0.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marion?

Davenport sterile processing technicians earn $19.21/hr while Marion hygienists earn $19.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marion as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $44,849, Marion = $44,075), job availability (50 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Davenport vs Marion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $34,248 in Davenport and $30,721 in Marion. The Davenport 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