Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Visalia, CA: $48,835 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Visalia, CA earns a median $48,835/year (≈ $23.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $48,921 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technician pay in Visalia, CA, is projected to reach a median annual salary of $48,835 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $47,724. The anticipated salary range extends from $39,281 at the 10th percentile to $62,722 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating a healthy pay scale reflective of skill and experience levels. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a robust market for these essential professionals, particularly following the credential-required hiring shift adopted in many healthcare settings post-2021. As employers increasingly prioritize certified technicians, the demand for skilled sterile processing personnel is set to grow, solidifying the role within Visalia’s healthcare infrastructure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,281 | $18.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,835 | $23.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,835 | $23.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,599 | $27.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,722 | $30.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,441 (2026 est.). At $48,835, the local median is 2.33% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Visalia Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Visalia median: $48,835/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $60,741 | -19.60% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +2.33% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Visalia, CA earn a median of $48,835 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.33% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 19.60% below the California state average of $60,741.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $48,835 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,921 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.18% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,430
2025 BLS Actual
$46,858
2026 Current Est.
$48,835
2019–2027 Growth
+22.8%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,430 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,775 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,858 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,835 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 13.1% from $41,430 (2019) to $46,858 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,466 (22.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $39,281 – $48,835 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,835 – $48,835 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,835 – $57,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,599 – $62,722 |
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 Visalia
With 50 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Visalia, the local job market reflects a relatively moderate level of demand against a cost-of-living index of 99.825, which hovers around the national average. The purchasing power of these salaries allows for a comfortable lifestyle, although it may not be as competitive compared to regions with higher demand. Major employers in the area include hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, with those offering additional credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER providing some of the more lucrative opportunities. The pay disparity in this sector is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials and specialty skills, making it crucial for technicians to pursue multiple certifications and gain diverse experience. Maximizing earning potential in Visalia may involve targeting trauma centers or facilities offering supervisory roles, thus enhancing both salary and career advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Visalia, CA in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Visalia?
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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 $46,858 for sterile processing techniciansin the Visalia 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, 7-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