Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Nicholasville, KY: $40,294 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Nicholasville, KY earns a median $40,294/year (≈ $19.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Nicholasville's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $45,122 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician in Nicholasville, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $40,294, reflecting the local demand and the significance of roles in evening and overnight surgical tray turnover. Salary estimates suggest a range from $31,174 at the 10th percentile to $55,549 at the 90th percentile, based on BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The compensation landscape shows a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $47,724, indicating a potential salary drop of approximately 15.57%. This focused pay structure illustrates the local dynamics in healthcare, driven by varying employers and their respective shift differentials.
About the Nicholasville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,174 | $14.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,474 | $16.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,294 | $19.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47,918 | $23.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,549 | $26.71 |
Median Salary Position
15.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nicholasville
In Nicholasville, KY, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,375 (2026 est.). At $40,294, the local median is 15.57% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nicholasville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nicholasville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Nicholasville median: $40,294/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nicholasville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $40,907 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -15.57% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Nicholasville, KY earn a median of $40,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% below the Kentucky state average of $40,907.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nicholasville has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nicholasville, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,294 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,122 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,346
2025 BLS Actual
$38,662
2026 Current Est.
$40,294
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Nicholasville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,346 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,448 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,978 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,621 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,701 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,294 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,994 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nicholasville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,346 (2019) to $38,662 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,994 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,648 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nicholasville 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) | $31,174 – $33,474 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,474 – $40,294 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,294 – $47,918 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $47,918 – $55,549 |
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 Nicholasville
Currently, there are only six sterile processing technicians employed in the Nicholasville area, highlighting a niche market. The cost-of-living index in Nicholasville sits at 89.3, which suggests a slightly more affordable lifestyle than the national average, potentially enhancing the take-home pay for technicians. In terms of employer comparisons, hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers typically offer better pay, especially for those with additional credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. The variation in pay can be driven by factors such as shift differentials, specialty roles, and supervisory positions. Factors like credential stacking and hospital versus surgical center settings heavily influence salaries in this market, making it crucial for technicians to pursue ongoing education and specialization to maximize their earning potential.
More salary data for Nicholasville, KY:
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 $38,662 for sterile processing techniciansin the Nicholasville 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 Nicholasville 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