Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Homewood vs Mobile: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Homewood, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Homewood, AL
$34,641
$16.65/hr
Mobile, AL
$34,268
$16.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHomewood, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$34,641$34,268
Hourly Rate$16.65$16.48
Entry Level (P10)$28,555$30,196
25th Percentile$30,067$31,356
75th Percentile$42,450$38,309
Top Earner (P90)$49,815$45,413
Total Employed590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Homewood ($34,641) and Mobile ($34,268) sterile processing technician salaries.HomewoodMobileMedian Salary$34,641$34,268Entry Level (P10)$28,555$30,196Top Earner (P90)$49,815$45,413US Median $47,724

Verdict

Homewood, AL offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mobile.

The salary gap between Homewood and Mobile is $373 (1.09%). Homewood's median is -27.41% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Homewood spans $21,260,Mobile spans $15,217. Homewood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Homewood
P10 (Entry)$28,555
P25$30,067
Median$34,641
P75$42,450
P90 (Top)$49,815
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$30,196
P25$31,356
Median$34,268
P75$38,309
P90 (Top)$45,413

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Homewood ($39,410 effective) pays 1.32% more than Mobile ($38,898 effective).

Homewood
Nominal: $34,641
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $39,410
Mobile
Nominal: $34,268
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $38,898

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Homewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($34,641/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,815)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $39,410)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Homewood grew 8.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Homewood, AL

+8.7%

$30,573 (2024) → $33,238 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+16.2%

$28,300 (2019) → $32,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Homewood or Mobile?

Homewood has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $34,641/year, compared to Mobile at $34,268/year — a difference of $373 (1.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Homewood and Mobile?

Homewood sterile processing technicians earn $16.65/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $16.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Homewood to Mobile as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Homewood and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Homewood = $39,410, Mobile = $38,898), job availability (5 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Homewood vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $28,555 in Homewood and $30,196 in Mobile. The Mobile 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