Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $51,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $51,387/year (≈ $24.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $50,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals working as sterile processing technicians in Fort Collins, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $51,387, which is notably higher than the national median of $47,724. The salary scope for this position ranges from $34,888 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $71,647 for the highest earners (90th percentile). This data stems from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating that Fort Collins offers competitive compensation for those in this essential healthcare role. Factors such as shift differentials, particularly for evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers, significantly influence pay rates in the area. The local demand for sterile processing technicians suggests a stable job market, as healthcare facilities increasingly recognize the need for certified professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,888 | $16.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,502 | $20.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,387 | $24.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,182 | $29.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,647 | $34.44 |
Median Salary Position
7.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,759 (2026 est.). At $51,387, the local median is 7.68% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $51,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,986 | +4.90% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +7.68% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $51,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.68% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 4.90% above the Colorado state average of $48,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $51,387 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,814 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,770
2025 BLS Actual
$49,306
2026 Current Est.
$51,387
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,070 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,306 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 30.5% from $37,770 (2019) to $49,306 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,785 (41.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $34,888 – $42,502 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,502 – $51,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,387 – $62,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,182 – $71,647 |
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 Fort Collins
The job market for sterile processing technicians in Fort Collins remains robust, given that the anticipated growth rate in this field is projected at 4.22% annually over the next five years. With a cost-of-living index of 101.128, living expenses in Fort Collins are slightly above the national average, potentially affecting purchasing power. Employers such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices tend to offer competitive salaries, with those operating in trauma centers generally providing higher pay. The variation in compensation can be attributed to several factors—including shift differentials for overnight shifts and the value of holding additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER. To increase earning potential, sterile processing technicians should consider securing multiple credentials, aiming for supervisory roles, or pursuing opportunities in high-demand areas like endoscope reprocessing.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Fort Collins?
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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 $49,306 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fort Collins 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