Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Raytown vs St. Louis: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Raytown, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raytown, MO
$43,830
$21.07/hr
St. Louis, MO
$45,904
$22.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaytown, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$43,830$45,904
Hourly Rate$21.07$22.07
Entry Level (P10)$36,061$37,259
25th Percentile$37,992$38,350
75th Percentile$53,665$48,285
Top Earner (P90)$62,955$60,431
Total Employed4890
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raytown ($43,830) and St. Louis ($45,904) sterile processing technician salaries.RaytownSt. LouisMedian Salary$43,830$45,904Entry Level (P10)$36,061$37,259Top Earner (P90)$62,955$60,431US Median $47,724

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Raytown.

The salary gap between Raytown and St. Louis is $2,074 (4.73%). St. Louis's median is -3.81% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raytown spans $26,894,St. Louis spans $23,172. Raytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raytown
P10 (Entry)$36,061
P25$37,992
Median$43,830
P75$53,665
P90 (Top)$62,955
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$37,259
P25$38,350
Median$45,904
P75$48,285
P90 (Top)$60,431

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raytown ($48,917 effective) pays 1.33% more than St. Louis ($48,275 effective).

Raytown
Nominal: $43,830
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $48,917
St. Louis
Nominal: $45,904
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $48,275

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raytown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,955)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,917)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,904/year)
  • Larger job market (890 employed)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Raytown grew 21.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.8% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Raytown, MO

+21.6%

$34,594 (2024) → $42,055 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+39.8%

$31,500 (2019) → $44,045 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Raytown or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,904/year, compared to Raytown at $43,830/year — a difference of $2,074 (4.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raytown and St. Louis?

Raytown sterile processing technicians earn $21.07/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $22.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raytown to St. Louis as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raytown and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raytown = $48,917, St. Louis = $48,275), job availability (4 vs 890 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Raytown vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $36,061 in Raytown and $37,259 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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