Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Kearney, NE: $40,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Kearney, NE earns a median $40,369/year (≈ $19.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $44,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the projected salary for a sterile processing technician in 2026 stands at $40,369 annually. This figure reflects a comprehensive assessment of local economic conditions and the increasing credentialing demands that emerged after 2021. The salary range for this position varies from $32,931 at the 10th percentile to $57,903 at the 90th percentile, revealing a landscape where pay can differ significantly based on experience, credentials, and employment settings. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, indicate a market that may offer lower-than-national-average compensation but is adapting to the credential-required hiring environment. As Kearney's healthcare industry evolves, the value placed on trained and certified personnel in sterile processing is likely to grow, impacting hiring practices and compensation structure.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,931 | $15.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,878 | $16.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,369 | $19.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,286 | $23.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,903 | $27.84 |
Median Salary Position
15.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,972 (2026 est.). At $40,369, the local median is 15.41% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Kearney median: $40,369/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $41,920 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -15.41% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Kearney, NE earn a median of $40,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.41% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $41,920.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,369 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,119 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,403
2025 BLS Actual
$38,734
2026 Current Est.
$40,369
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,403 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,507 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,036 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,683 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,769 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,007 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,072 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $30,403 (2019) to $38,734 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,072 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,669 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $32,931 – $34,878 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,878 – $40,369 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,369 – $49,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,286 – $57,903 |
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 Kearney
With only nine sterile processing technicians currently employed in Kearney, the job market is relatively niche. The cost of living index is 91.5, suggesting that while salaries might be lower than national averages, the affordability of living in the region allows for a comfortable lifestyle. Among local employers, hospital sterile processing departments typically offer the highest salaries compared to ambulatory surgery centers and specialty practices. Factors influencing the disparity in pay include shift differentials for evening and overnight work, as well as the complexity of services provided, particularly in trauma centers. To maximize earnings in this market, technicians should consider obtaining additional certifications like the Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) or Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) to enhance their qualifications. Engaging in ongoing education and seeking roles with responsibilities that come with supervisory or lead pay can be effective strategies for advancing one’s sterile processing technician pay in Kearney, NE.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $38,734 for sterile processing techniciansin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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