Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $37,909 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $37,909/year (≈ $18.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $41,215 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in Fayetteville, North Carolina is projected to reach $37,909, which is notably lower than the national median of $47,724. This salary reflects a full range from $32,937 at the lower percentile (P10) to $47,454 at the higher end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight how the region's demand for specialists in sterile processing, particularly in night and evening shifts where surgical tray turnover is paramount, impacts compensation. Evening and overnight work, often driven by hospital requirements for a quick turnaround in surgical supplies, not only supports healthcare efficiency but also enhances earning potential for skilled technicians in this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,937 | $15.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,909 | $18.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,909 | $18.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,663 | $22.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,454 | $22.81 |
Median Salary Position
20.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,517 (2026 est.). At $37,909, the local median is 20.57% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $37,909/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $43,927 | -13.70% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -20.57% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $37,909 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.57% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 13.70% below the North Carolina state average of $43,927.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $37,909 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,215 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,560
2025 BLS Actual
$36,374
2026 Current Est.
$37,909
2019–2027 Growth
+33.7%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $35,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,500 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,374 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,909 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,509 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 23.1% from $29,560 (2019) to $36,374 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,509 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,949 (33.66%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $32,937 – $37,909 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,909 – $37,909 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,909 – $46,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,663 – $47,454 |
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 Fayetteville
With approximately 40 sterile processing technicians employed in Fayetteville, the local job market presents unique opportunities and challenges. The area boasts a cost-of-living index of 91.978, which suggests that residents experience a spending power advantage compared to national averages. Most competitive salaries can be found in hospital sterile processing departments (SPD) and specialty surgical centers, particularly where additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER are preferred. The variance in pay is significantly influenced by shift differentials for evening and overnight work, as well as specialized certifications that enhance a technician's value. Those aiming for higher pay should seek out multipronged skill sets, positioning themselves for lead or supervisory roles while remaining adaptable to evolving state registration laws and credential requirements as the landscape continues to change.
More salary data for Fayetteville, NC:
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 $36,374 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fayetteville 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