Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Urbandale, IA: $38,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Urbandale, IA earns a median $38,716/year (≈ $18.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $42,827 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Urbandale, Iowa, the compensation for sterile processing technicians reflects both the specialized skill set of the workers and the demand for their services. The projected median annual salary in 2026 sits at $38,716, which is significantly lower than the national median of $47,724, indicating a divergence in pay rates across the country. The salary range for these professionals spans from $31,210 at the lower end (P10) to $54,852 (P90) for those at the top of the career ladder. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price parities have taken into account the unique economic conditions in Urbandale, where the job market for sterile processing technicians continues to evolve, especially with the surge in endoscope reprocessing roles.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,210 | $15.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,085 | $15.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,716 | $18.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,942 | $22.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,852 | $26.37 |
Median Salary Position
18.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,642 (2026 est.). At $38,716, the local median is 18.88% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $38,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $40,540 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -18.88% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $38,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.88% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $40,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,827 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,158
2025 BLS Actual
$37,148
2026 Current Est.
$38,716
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,158 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,304 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,263 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,148 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,349 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $29,158 (2019) to $37,148 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,349 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,191 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $31,210 – $33,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,085 – $38,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,716 – $46,942 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,942 – $54,852 |
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 Urbandale
Those seeking to establish a career as a sterile processing technician in Urbandale will find a relatively tight labor market, with only 12 employed in the area. The cost of living index is 90.4, falling below the national average, which means take-home pay may stretch further locally despite a lower salary scale. This environment can benefit professionals working in hospital sterile processing departments, which often provide higher pay compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty practices, due to shifts in operational demands. Factors contributing to pay disparities include shift differentials, credential stacking with certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, as well as positions such as lead or supervisory roles. To maximize earnings, obtaining additional credentials and considering work in hospitals or trauma centers could provide an advantage in Urbandale's competitive market.
More salary data for Urbandale, IA:
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 $37,148 for sterile processing techniciansin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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