Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Salt Lake City vs Sandy: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Sandy, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salt Lake City, UT
$44,750
$21.51/hr
Sandy, UT
$45,501
$21.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalt Lake City, UTSandy, UT
Median Salary$44,750$45,501
Hourly Rate$21.51$21.88
Entry Level (P10)$34,407$34,677
25th Percentile$37,335$37,618
75th Percentile$56,637$56,331
Top Earner (P90)$68,525$66,984
Total Employed4218
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salt Lake City ($44,750) and Sandy ($45,501) sterile processing technician salaries.Salt Lake CitySandyMedian Salary$44,750$45,501Entry Level (P10)$34,407$34,677Top Earner (P90)$68,525$66,984US Median $47,724

Verdict

Salt Lake City and Sandy are closely matched on overall sterile processing technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Sandy is $751 (1.68%). Sandy'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 Salt Lake City spans $34,118,Sandy spans $32,307. Salt Lake City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$34,407
P25$37,335
Median$44,750
P75$56,637
P90 (Top)$68,525
Sandy
P10 (Entry)$34,677
P25$37,618
Median$45,501
P75$56,331
P90 (Top)$66,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sandy ($46,382 effective) pays 1.68% more than Salt Lake City ($45,617 effective).

Salt Lake City
Nominal: $44,750
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $45,617
Sandy
Nominal: $45,501
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $46,382

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($68,525)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Sandy if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,501/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,382)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Salt Lake City grew 13.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.1% growth in Sandy over the same period.

Salt Lake City, UT

+13.3%

$37,910 (2019) → $42,938 (2025)

Sandy, UT

+-0.1%

$43,698 (2024) → $43,659 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Salt Lake City or Sandy?

Sandy has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,501/year, compared to Salt Lake City at $44,750/year — a difference of $751 (1.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Sandy?

Salt Lake City sterile processing technicians earn $21.51/hr while Sandy hygienists earn $21.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Sandy as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salt Lake City and Sandy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salt Lake City = $45,617, Sandy = $46,382), job availability (42 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Salt Lake City vs Sandy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $34,407 in Salt Lake City and $34,677 in Sandy. The Sandy 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