Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Plant City, FL: $41,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Plant City, FL earns a median $41,366/year (≈ $19.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Plant City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $41,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For sterile processing technicians in Plant City, salaries reflect both the specialized nature of the position and the shift towards credentialed hiring since 2021. With a median annual salary projected to be $41,366 in 2026, and a range from $32,588 at the lower end (P10) to $59,436 at the upper end (P90), these figures indicate a competitive compensation framework, although still lower than the national median of $47,724. Local estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, highlight that while evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers can elevate pay due to shift differentials, the overall locality reflects an evolving market where employers value certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. This indicates rising prospects for those who hold multiple credentials in this growing sector.
About the Plant City Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,588 | $15.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,886 | $16.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,366 | $19.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,567 | $24.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,436 | $28.58 |
Median Salary Position
13.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plant City
In Plant City, FL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,848 (2026 est.). At $41,366, the local median is 13.32% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plant City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plant City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Plant City median: $41,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plant City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $43,681 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -13.32% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Plant City, FL earn a median of $41,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.32% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $43,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plant City has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Plant City, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $41,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $41,038 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,154
2025 BLS Actual
$39,691
2026 Current Est.
$41,366
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,154 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,285 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,803 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,677 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,164 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,691 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,112 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plant City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $31,154 (2019) to $39,691 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,112 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,958 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plant City 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) | $32,588 – $34,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,886 – $41,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,366 – $50,567 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,567 – $59,436 |
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 Plant City
In terms of local employment dynamics, Plant City currently has seven sterile processing technicians, demonstrating a small but focused workforce within hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Given the area's cost of living index at 100.8, nearly matching the national average, technicians must consider how their salary translates into purchasing power. Major employers of sterile processing technicians, such as hospital sterile processing departments and dental specialty practices, often offer the higher wages, particularly for staff with advanced certifications or supervisory experience. The wide salary range reflects not just the different facilities but also the variance based on shift timings and specialized roles, such as those in trauma centers or those leading teams. For those in the field, obtaining multiple certifications and seeking opportunities in high-demand environments will be crucial strategies for enhancing earnings in Plant City.
More salary data for Plant City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $39,691 for sterile processing techniciansin the Plant City 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 Plant City 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