Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $51,566 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $51,566/year (≈ $24.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $51,204 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Colorado state average.

$51,566
Median Annual Salary
$24.79/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$34,707
Entry Level (P10)
$64,153
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

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

In Colorado Springs, the role of a sterile processing technician is financially rewarding, with a median annual salary projected to reach $51,566 by 2026. When looking at the salary range in the region, technicians can expect to earn between $34,707 and $64,153, a reflection of the varied responsibilities tied to this vital healthcare position. Those with expertise in endoscope reprocessing are particularly sought after, as the growing focus on infection control and the increasing complexity of instruments demand a higher level of skill and attention. This data comes directly from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which highlights the opportunities available in Colorado Springs's healthcare landscape, indicating strong prospects for career advancement and specialization in sterile processing.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$34,707$16.69
Lower Range (P25)$44,753$21.52
Median (P50)(typical)$51,566$24.79
Upper Range (P75)$62,071$29.85
Top Earners (P90)$64,153$30.85

Median Salary Position

$34,707$64,153
City Median: $51,566
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

8.05% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs. The median salary is $51,566, compared to the national median of $47,724.$31.2K$40.3K$49.3K$58.3K$67.4K$34.7K10th Pctl$44.8K25th Pctl$51.6KMedian$62.1K75th Pctl$64.2K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Colorado Springs, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,446 (2026 est.). At $51,566, the local median is 8.05% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$992
per week
$4,298
per month
$51,571
per year

At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be above the median

How Colorado Springs Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Colorado Springs median: $51,566/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryColorado Springs Pays
Colorado Average$48,971+5.30% more
National Average$47,724+8.05% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Colorado Springs ($51,566) with Colorado average ($48,971) and the US national median ($47,724).Colorado Springs$51,566Colorado Avg$48,971+5.30%US National$47,724+8.05%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $51,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 5.30% above the Colorado state average of $48,971.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$51,566
Nominal Salary
100.707
CoL Index
$51,204
Adjusted Salary

Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $51,566. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 100.707, the purchasing-power equivalent is $51,204, a loss of $362.$40.6K$45.2K$49.9K$54.6K$59.3K$51,566NominalSalary$51,204CoL Adjusted(CoL: 100.707) -0.70%US Median $47.7K

Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,566 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,204 — a 0.7% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$35,100

2025 BLS Actual

$49,478

2026 Current Est.

$51,566

2019–2027 Growth

+53.1%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Colorado Springs (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 Colorado Springs. Baseline $35,100 in 2025, projected to $53,742 by 2027.$31.4K$37.9K$44.4K$50.9K$57.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.1K$35.9K$38.1K$40.3K$47.2K$46.6K$49.5K$51.6K$53.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,100Actual
2020$35,870Actual
2021$38,070Actual
2022$40,280Actual
2023$47,220Actual
2024$46,650Actual
2025$49,478Actual
2026(current)$51,566Estimated
2027$53,742Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 41.0% from $35,100 (2019) to $49,478 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,742 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,642 (53.11%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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)$34,707$44,753
3-5 years (Mid Career)$44,753$51,566
5+ years (Experienced)$51,566$62,071
10+ years (Top Earner)$62,071$64,153

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 Colorado Springs

Employers in Colorado Springs actively seek sterile processing technicians, with about 180 professionals employed in the area. Those looking for top-tier salaries may find the best opportunities within hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, where pay is commensurate with experience and expertise. The cost of living index of 100.707 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power is closely matched to national averages. Factors such as shift differentials, certifications like CRCST and CIS, and specialized skills in endoscope reprocessing significantly influence salary variations within the field. For those entering or currently working in sterile processing roles, pursuing additional credentials and gaining experience in specialized settings can be effective strategies to maximize earnings in this market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Colorado Springs, CO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Colorado Springs is $51,566/year ($24.79/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $34,707 at entry level (10th percentile) to $64,153 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Colorado Springs at 8.1% 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 Colorado Springs, CO a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Colorado Springs sterile processing technician salaries are 8.1% above the national average and 5.3% above the Colorado state average. The metro area employs approximately 180 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 100.707, 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 Colorado Springs?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Colorado Springs is $51,566, and the 90th percentile earns $64,153. 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 Colorado Springs?

After adjusting for Colorado Springs's cost-of-living index of 100.707 (where 100 equals the national average), the $51,566 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $51,204 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Colorado Springs reduce the effective value of your salary by 0.7% 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 Colorado Springs?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Colorado Springs earn a median hourly rate of $24.79, which translates to approximately $51,566/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $16.69 for entry-level positions to $30.85 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

Nearby Cities in Colorado

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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.

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 $49,478 for sterile processing techniciansin the Colorado Springs 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

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