Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Duluth, MN: $47,824 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Duluth, MN earns a median $47,824/year (≈ $22.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $53,875 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the compensation for sterile processing technicians in Duluth, Minnesota, is projected to have a median annual salary of $47,824, which is slightly above the national median of $47,724. Salaries for this role in the area range from $37,919 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $56,479 at the higher end (90th percentile). This information, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, outlines how factors like shift differentials for evening or overnight surgical tray turnover can influence pay in the region. As the demand for sterile processing continues to grow—reflecting a 4.22% annual growth rate—it becomes increasingly clear that the job market in Duluth is ripe for qualified professionals looking to establish their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,919 | $18.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,223 | $21.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,824 | $22.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,088 | $26.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,479 | $27.15 |
Median Salary Position
0.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,560 (2026 est.). At $47,824, the local median is 0.21% above the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be above the median
How Duluth Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Duluth median: $47,824/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $45,117 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +0.21% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Duluth, MN earn a median of $47,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 6.00% above the Minnesota state average of $45,117.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $47,824 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,875 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,780
2025 BLS Actual
$45,888
2026 Current Est.
$47,824
2019–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,824 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,843 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 15.4% from $39,780 (2019) to $45,888 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,063 (25.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $37,919 – $44,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,223 – $47,824 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,824 – $54,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,088 – $56,479 |
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 Duluth
The local job market consists of around 80 sterile processing technicians employed in various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 88.768, the purchasing power for skilled workers is favorable compared to the national average. Employers such as hospitals with well-funded sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices tend to offer the highest salaries. The range in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialty credential stacking such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, shift differentials, and whether the facility is a trauma center. For those aspiring to maximize their earning potential, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking positions in facilities operating during off-hours can be effective strategies in Duluth's competitive market for sterile processing technicians.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
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 $45,888 for sterile processing techniciansin the Duluth 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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