Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Daphne, AL: $36,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Daphne, AL earns a median $36,099/year (≈ $17.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Daphne's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $38,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Daphne, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician is $36,099, reflecting an increasingly specialized field that has seen growing importance, particularly in endoscope reprocessing, which introduces a premium to skilled technicians. The salary range spans from $33,917 at the 10th percentile to $47,004 at the 90th percentile, all based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This local compensation indicates the job market's responsiveness to the rising need for certified technicians who meet the heightened standards set by credentialing bodies such as HSPA and the industry's shifting focus towards professional certification requirements since 2021. With the region's healthcare needs evolving, job stability for sterile processing technicians appears promising, particularly for those who engage in areas like surgical centers and hospitals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,917 | $16.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,858 | $17.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,099 | $17.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,361 | $19.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,004 | $22.61 |
Median Salary Position
24.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daphne
In Daphne, AL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,087 (2026 est.). At $36,099, the local median is 24.36% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Daphne: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Daphne Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Daphne median: $36,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Daphne Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $35,848 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -24.36% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Daphne, AL earn a median of $36,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.36% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.70% above the Alabama state average of $35,848.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Daphne has a cost of living 5.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Daphne, AL has a cost-of-living index of 94.69 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $36,099 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.61% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$27,187
2025 BLS Actual
$34,637
2026 Current Est.
$36,099
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Daphne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,187 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,174 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,753 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,946 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daphne metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $27,187 (2019) to $34,637 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $37,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,435 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daphne metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.22% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,917 – $35,858 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,858 – $36,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,099 – $41,361 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,361 – $47,004 |
SPT, CRCST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual sterile processing technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Sterile Processing Technician Job Market in Daphne
The local market for sterile processing technicians in Daphne currently employs around 40 professionals, which contributes to a robust job outlook in this sector. With a cost of living index of 94.69, residents can enjoy a reasonable balance between their salaries and purchasing power, making the sterile processing technician pay in Daphne, AL, quite competitive. Employers, such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, often offer the highest wages, especially for those with advanced credentials like CRCST and CER. Factors like shift differentials for evening and overnight work, additional pay for supervisory roles, and the complexity of trauma center environments can significantly widen the pay spectrum here. Technicians looking to maximize their earnings should pursue key certifications, aim for positions in higher-paying facilities, and consider the benefits of specialized training in endoscope reprocessing, enhancing both their marketability and compensation potential.
More salary data for Daphne, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Daphne, AL in 2026?
Is Daphne, AL a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Daphne?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Daphne?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Daphne?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $34,637 for sterile processing techniciansin the Daphne metropolitan area. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for sterile processing technicians (SOC 31-9093).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov