Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Castle Rock, CO: $48,242 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Castle Rock, CO earns a median $48,242/year (≈ $23.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Castle Rock's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $45,945 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Castle Rock, Colorado, can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,242 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this occupation spans from $38,347 at the lower end (P10) to $68,488 at the higher end (P90). These figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for cost of living in the region, which reflects a market characterized by evening and overnight surgical tray turnover that can significantly influence compensation through shift differentials. With 14 technicians currently employed in Castle Rock, the local job market is relatively small yet competitive, suggesting various employers are looking for qualified candidates to navigate the demands of sterile processing effectively.
About the Castle Rock Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,347 | $18.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,181 | $19.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,242 | $23.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,094 | $27.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,488 | $32.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Castle Rock
In Castle Rock, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,141 (2026 est.). At $48,242, the local median is 1.09% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Castle Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Castle Rock Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Castle Rock median: $48,242/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Castle Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,977 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | +1.09% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Castle Rock, CO earn a median of $48,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $48,977.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Castle Rock has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Castle Rock, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $48,242 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $45,945 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,332
2025 BLS Actual
$46,289
2026 Current Est.
$48,242
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Castle Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,332 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,253 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,941 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,289 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,242 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,278 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Castle Rock metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $36,332 (2019) to $46,289 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,278 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,946 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Castle Rock 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) | $38,347 – $41,181 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,181 – $48,242 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,242 – $58,094 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,094 – $68,488 |
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 Castle Rock
In analyzing the local job market for sterile processing technician pay in Castle Rock, CO, the cost of living index of 105 indicates that living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect the real purchasing power of salaries. Larger employers, such as hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, tend to offer the most competitive wages, particularly for candidates who hold multiple certifications, including CRCST, CIS, and CER. The disparity in pay levels often arises from factors such as shift differentials for non-standard hours, specialization credentials, and whether the technician works in a hospital, ASC, or trauma center setting. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Castle Rock, pursuing further credentials and aiming for supervisory roles within SPDs can enhance salary prospects, while also staying current with state registration laws and the evolving requirements in the sector.
More salary data for Castle Rock, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Castle Rock?
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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 $46,289 for sterile processing techniciansin the Castle Rock 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 Castle Rock is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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