Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Loveland, CO: $50,156 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Loveland, CO earns a median $50,156/year (≈ $24.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Loveland's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $47,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Colorado state average.

$50,156
Median Annual Salary
$24.12/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$38,551
Entry Level (P10)
$72,360
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Loveland, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for a sterile processing technician stands at $50,156 for 2026, reflecting a competitive edge compared to the national median of $47,724. This salary range spans from $38,551 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $72,360 at the 90th percentile (P90), indicating significant earning potential based on experience and work setting. These figures are informed by local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for market conditions. Loveland's job market for sterile processing technicians remains vibrant, particularly driven by the demand for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, which often comes with enhanced pay differentials.

About the Loveland Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$38,551$18.53
Lower Range (P25)$41,673$20.03
Median (P50)(typical)$50,156$24.12
Upper Range (P75)$61,246$29.44
Top Earners (P90)$72,360$34.79

Median Salary Position

$38,551$72,360
City Median: $50,156
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

5.10% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Loveland

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Loveland. The median salary is $50,156, compared to the national median of $47,724.$34.7K$45.0K$55.3K$65.7K$76.0K$38.6K10th Pctl$41.7K25th Pctl$50.2KMedian$61.2K75th Pctl$72.4K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Loveland, CO, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,809 (2026 est.). At $50,156, the local median is 5.1% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$965
per week
$4,180
per month
$50,162
per year

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

How Loveland Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Loveland median: $50,156/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryLoveland Pays
Colorado Average$48,980+2.40% more
National Average$47,724+5.10% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Loveland ($50,156) with Colorado average ($48,980) and the US national median ($47,724).Loveland$50,156Colorado Avg$48,980+2.40%US National$47,724+5.10%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Loveland, CO earn a median of $50,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.10% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.40% above the Colorado state average of $48,980.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$50,156
Nominal Salary
105
CoL Index
$47,768
Adjusted Salary

Loveland has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.

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

The nominal salary is $50,156. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 105, the purchasing-power equivalent is $47,768, a loss of $2,388.$40.6K$44.8K$49.1K$53.4K$57.7K$50,156NominalSalary$47,768CoL Adjusted(CoL: 105) -4.76%US Median $47.7K

Loveland, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,156 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,768 — a 4.76% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$37,774

2025 BLS Actual

$48,125

2026 Current Est.

$50,156

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Loveland (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 Loveland. Baseline $37,774 in 2025, projected to $52,272 by 2027.$34.9K$39.9K$45.0K$50.1K$55.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.8K$39.1K$38.6K$41.9K$45.7K$48.7K$48.1K$50.2K$52.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$37,774Actual
2020$39,146Actual
2021$38,561Actual
2022$41,850Actual
2023$45,683Actual
2024$48,700Actual
2025$48,125Actual
2026(current)$50,156Estimated
2027$52,272Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Loveland metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $37,774 (2019) to $48,125 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,498 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Loveland 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)$38,551$41,673
3-5 years (Mid Career)$41,673$50,156
5+ years (Experienced)$50,156$61,246
10+ years (Top Earner)$61,246$72,360

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 Loveland

With 17 sterile processing technicians currently employed in the Loveland area, the job market demonstrates a solid foundation, although it is essential to consider the local cost of living, which sits at an index of 105, slightly above the national average. This reality impacts take-home pay and purchasing power, making it vital for professionals in the field to seek positions in hospital sterile processing departments or specialty surgery centers, where salaries are typically higher. Factors such as shift differentials, advanced certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, and the nature of the work environment greatly influence salary potential. To maximize earnings, technicians should aim to stack credentials, pursue supervisory roles, and target facilities that specialize in complex surgical procedures or trauma care, thus aligning with Loveland's evolving healthcare landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Loveland is $50,156/year ($24.12/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $38,551 at entry level (10th percentile) to $72,360 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Loveland at 5.1% 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 Loveland, CO a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Loveland sterile processing technician salaries are 5.1% above the national average and 2.4% above the Colorado state average. The metro area employs approximately 17 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 105, 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 Loveland?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Loveland is $50,156, and the 90th percentile earns $72,360. 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 Loveland?

After adjusting for Loveland's cost-of-living index of 105 (where 100 equals the national average), the $50,156 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $47,768 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Loveland reduce the effective value of your salary by 4.8% 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 Loveland?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Loveland earn a median hourly rate of $24.12, which translates to approximately $50,156/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.53 for entry-level positions to $34.79 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

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 $48,125 for sterile processing techniciansin the Loveland 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 Loveland 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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