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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
5.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Loveland
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Loveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $48,980 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +5.10% more |
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
Loveland has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,774 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,146 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,561 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,683 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,125 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,272 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Loveland 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) | $38,551 – $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.
More salary data for Loveland, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Loveland?
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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 $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).
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