Sterile Processing Tech Salary

North Kingstown vs Warwick: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between North Kingstown, RI and Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Kingstown, RI
$44,161
$21.23/hr
Warwick, RI
$49,948
$24.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Kingstown, RIWarwick, RI
Median Salary$44,161$49,948
Hourly Rate$21.23$24.01
Entry Level (P10)$35,874$37,728
25th Percentile$37,940$41,155
75th Percentile$53,741$61,664
Top Earner (P90)$62,889$73,435
Total Employed416
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Kingstown ($44,161) and Warwick ($49,948) sterile processing technician salaries.North KingstownWarwickMedian Salary$44,161$49,948Entry Level (P10)$35,874$37,728Top Earner (P90)$62,889$73,435US Median $47,724

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Kingstown.

The salary gap between North Kingstown and Warwick is $5,787 (13.10%). Warwick's median is +4.66% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Kingstown spans $27,015,Warwick spans $35,707. Warwick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

North Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$35,874
P25$37,940
Median$44,161
P75$53,741
P90 (Top)$62,889
Warwick
P10 (Entry)$37,728
P25$41,155
Median$49,948
P75$61,664
P90 (Top)$73,435

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($49,700 effective) pays 13.10% more than North Kingstown ($43,941 effective).

North Kingstown
Nominal: $44,161
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $43,941
Warwick
Nominal: $49,948
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $49,700

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Kingstown if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,948/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,435)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,700)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in North Kingstown grew -4.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 2.6% growth in Warwick over the same period.

North Kingstown, RI

+-4.4%

$44,339 (2024) → $42,373 (2025)

Warwick, RI

+2.6%

$46,696 (2024) → $47,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: North Kingstown or Warwick?

Warwick has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $49,948/year, compared to North Kingstown at $44,161/year — a difference of $5,787 (13.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Kingstown and Warwick?

North Kingstown sterile processing technicians earn $21.23/hr while Warwick hygienists earn $24.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Kingstown to Warwick as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Kingstown and Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Kingstown = $43,941, Warwick = $49,700), job availability (4 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in North Kingstown vs Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $35,874 in North Kingstown and $37,728 in Warwick. The Warwick 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