Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Sumter, SC: $42,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Sumter, SC earns a median $42,888/year (≈ $20.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Sumter's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $46,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sumter, South Carolina, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians is $42,888 for the year 2026. This figure represents a local outlook well below the national median of $47,724, illustrating how regional factors influence compensation in this field. Salary ranges vary significantly, with the lowest earners (10th percentile) making around $34,392 and the highest (90th percentile) achieving up to $62,121. Given these estimates are rooted in BLS state-level data along with regional cost adjustments, they reflect the local economic climate. Furthermore, the growing emphasis on advanced roles like endoscope reprocessing (CER) highlights the additional earning potential for technicians who obtain specialized certifications, shaping the job market in Sumter.
About the Sumter Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,392 | $16.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,482 | $17.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,888 | $20.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,121 | $29.87 |
Median Salary Position
10.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sumter
In Sumter, SC, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,729 (2026 est.). At $42,888, the local median is 10.13% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sumter: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sumter Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Sumter median: $42,888/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sumter Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $45,050 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -10.13% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Sumter, SC earn a median of $42,888 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.13% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.80% below the South Carolina state average of $45,050.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sumter 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.
Sumter, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $42,888 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,872 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,300
2025 BLS Actual
$41,151
2026 Current Est.
$42,888
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Sumter (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,473 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,973 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,785 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,063 | Actual |
| 2024 | $34,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,151 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,697 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sumter metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,300 (2019) to $41,151 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,697 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,397 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sumter 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) | $34,392 – $36,482 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,482 – $42,888 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,888 – $52,730 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,730 – $62,121 |
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 Sumter
With only eight sterile processing technicians employed in Sumter, the local job market remains relatively small. This limited employment pool is paired with a cost-of-living index of 91.5, indicating that wages can stretch further in this area compared to the national average. Employers, particularly those in hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, typically offer the most competitive salaries. The pay variance often stems from factors such as shift differentials for evening or overnight assignments and specialized credential stacking, where credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER can command higher rates. Positions in trauma centers or those with supervisory responsibilities also yield increased pay. To maximize earnings in Sumter, technicians should consider pursuing multiple certifications, seeking out higher-paying facilities, and being open to various work shifts to enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Sumter, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Sumter, SC in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Sumter?
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Related Pages
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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 $41,151 for sterile processing techniciansin the Sumter 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 Sumter 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