Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Urbana, IL: $37,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Urbana, IL earns a median $37,044/year (≈ $17.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Urbana's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $38,150 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Urbana, Illinois, stands at $37,044 for 2026. This local median salary reflects a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $47,724, underscoring a difference of approximately 22.38%. Within the Urbana area, salaries range significantly, from $30,596 at the 10th percentile to a high of $53,392 at the 90th percentile. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing variations. With specialized skills like endoscope reprocessing gaining prominence, those holding credentials such as CRCST and CER may find better opportunities in the local job market, which consists of a small workforce of just six sterile processing technicians.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,596 | $14.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,169 | $15.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,044 | $17.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45,385 | $21.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,392 | $25.67 |
Median Salary Position
22.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbana
In Urbana, IL, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $22,796 (2026 est.). At $37,044, the local median is 22.38% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbana Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Urbana median: $37,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $43,074 | -14.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -22.38% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Urbana, IL earn a median of $37,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.38% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 14.00% below the Illinois state average of $43,074.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbana has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urbana, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $37,044 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $38,150 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,899
2025 BLS Actual
$35,544
2026 Current Est.
$37,044
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,899 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,909 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,741 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,168 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbana metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $27,899 (2019) to $35,544 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,708 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbana 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) | $30,596 – $32,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,169 – $37,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,044 – $45,385 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $45,385 – $53,392 |
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 Urbana
In this market, the cost of living index is currently 97.1, slightly below the national average, which may enhance the residents' purchasing power despite lower salary figures. Local hospitals generally provide the highest compensation, particularly for technicians involved with evening or overnight tray turnover, as well as those who possess additional certifications beyond the CRCST, such as CIS or CER. The spread between lower and higher salaries is influenced by various factors, including shift differentials, experience levels, and the setting of employment—whether in a hospital sterile processing department or an ambulatory surgery center. To maximize pay, aspiring technicians in Urbana may consider pursuing advanced certifications, seeking positions in trauma centers, or negotiating for lead or supervisory roles that often come with significant pay increases.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
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 $35,544 for sterile processing techniciansin the Urbana 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 Urbana 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