Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $40,301 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $40,301/year (≈ $19.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $44,467 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Sioux Falls, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $40,301, which reflects a substantial adjustment since the industry moved toward credential-required hiring post-2021. This salary falls short of the national median by approximately 15.55%, highlighting the local market's particularities. Technicians can expect to earn within a range from $31,696 at the lower end to $51,056 at the upper end, showcasing the variance based on experience and employer types. The figures presented here are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which provide a comprehensive overview of local employment patterns and allow for effective career planning in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,696 | $15.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,130 | $18.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,301 | $19.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,074 | $22.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51,056 | $24.55 |
Median Salary Position
15.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,360 (2026 est.). At $40,301, the local median is 15.55% below the national median of $47,724.
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At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $40,301/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $42,511 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -15.55% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $40,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.55% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.20% below the South Dakota state average of $42,511.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $40,301 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,467 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,530
2025 BLS Actual
$38,669
2026 Current Est.
$40,301
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,669 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,301 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 22.6% from $31,530 (2019) to $38,669 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,472 (33.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $31,696 – $38,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,130 – $40,301 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,301 – $46,074 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,074 – $51,056 |
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 Sioux Falls
With around 300 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Sioux Falls, the job market is poised for growth, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.22%. The local cost-of-living index stands at 90.631, indicating that salaries stretch further in this region compared to more expensive areas. Hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, especially those with specialized surgical services and trauma center designations. To capitalize on pay potential, professionals should consider pursuing additional credentials such as the CRCST, CIS, and CER, as these can improve employability and wage prospects. Additionally, night shifts or supervisory roles may help boost earnings for those looking to enhance their income further in the sterile processing technician pay landscape in Sioux Falls, SD.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
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 $38,669 for sterile processing techniciansin the Sioux Falls 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