Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Inglewood, CA: $62,005 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Inglewood, CA earns a median $62,005/year (≈ $29.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Inglewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,823 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the California state average.

$62,005
Median Annual Salary
$29.81/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$45,192
Entry Level (P10)
$95,735
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Inglewood, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Inglewood, CA sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Inglewood’s sterile processing technician salary is projected to be $62,005 annually in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $47,724, illustrating a competitive job market for this profession. Local pay scales range from $45,192 at the 10th percentile to as high as $95,735 for top earners, reflecting the variations in experience, employer types, and specific skill sets required. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted with regional cost considerations. Following the shift to credential-required hiring post-2021, technicians who hold certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER have become increasingly sought after, making this an opportune moment for prospective candidates to enter the field in Inglewood.

About the Inglewood Market

Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$45,192$21.73
Lower Range (P25)$49,849$23.97
Median (P50)(typical)$62,005$29.81
Upper Range (P75)$75,187$36.14
Top Earners (P90)$95,735$46.02

Median Salary Position

$45,192$95,735
City Median: $62,005
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

29.92% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Inglewood

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Inglewood. The median salary is $62,005, compared to the national median of $47,724.$40.7K$55.6K$70.6K$85.6K$100.5K$45.2K10th Pctl$49.8K25th Pctl$62.0KMedian$75.2K75th Pctl$95.7K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Inglewood, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,543 (2026 est.). At $62,005, the local median is 29.92% above the national median of $47,724.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Inglewood metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,192
per week
$5,167
per month
$61,998
per year

At 40 hours/week in Inglewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Inglewood Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Inglewood median: $62,005/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryInglewood Pays
California Average$60,789+2.00% more
National Average$47,724+29.92% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Inglewood ($62,005) with California average ($60,789) and the US national median ($47,724).Inglewood$62,005California Avg$60,789+2.00%US National$47,724+29.92%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Inglewood, CA earn a median of $62,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.92% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.00% above the California state average of $60,789.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,005
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$54,823
Adjusted Salary

Inglewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $62,005. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $54,823, a loss of $7,182.$40.6K$48.3K$55.9K$63.6K$71.3K$62,005NominalSalary$54,823CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $47.7K

Inglewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,005 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,823 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$46,697

2025 BLS Actual

$59,494

2026 Current Est.

$62,005

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Inglewood (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Inglewood. Baseline $46,697 in 2025, projected to $64,621 by 2027.$41.7K$50.4K$59.1K$67.8K$76.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$46.7K$48.4K$47.7K$51.7K$56.5K$71.6K$59.5K$62.0K$64.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$46,697Actual
2020$48,393Actual
2021$47,670Actual
2022$51,736Actual
2023$56,476Actual
2024$71,551Actual
2025$59,494Actual
2026(current)$62,005Estimated
2027$64,621Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Inglewood metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $46,697 (2019) to $59,494 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,924 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Inglewood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$45,192$49,849
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,849$62,005
5+ years (Experienced)$62,005$75,187
10+ years (Top Earner)$75,187$95,735

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 Inglewood

Currently, there are 21 sterile processing technicians employed in Inglewood, providing a snapshot of a robust local job market despite higher-than-average living costs, indicated by a cost of living index of 113.1. Employers with the most competitive wages often include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and third-party sterile processing service providers. The spread in salaries can be attributed to various factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight work and the demand for specialty certifications. To maximize earnings, technicians should focus on acquiring additional credentials and look for positions in trauma centers, where the pay tends to be higher. Those willing to work flexible hours may also benefit from increased compensation opportunities in this evolving sector within Inglewood, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Inglewood, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Inglewood is $62,005/year ($29.81/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $45,192 at entry level (10th percentile) to $95,735 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Inglewood at 29.9% above the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Inglewood, CA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Inglewood sterile processing technician salaries are 29.9% above the national average and 2.0% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Inglewood?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Inglewood is $62,005, and the 90th percentile earns $95,735. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Inglewood?

After adjusting for Inglewood's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,005 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $54,823 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Inglewood reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Inglewood?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Inglewood earn a median hourly rate of $29.81, which translates to approximately $62,005/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.73 for entry-level positions to $46.02 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $59,494 for sterile processing techniciansin the Inglewood 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

Salary data for Inglewood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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