Sterile Processing Tech Salary

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.

$40,301
Median Annual Salary
$19.38/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$31,696
Entry Level (P10)
$51,056
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Sioux Falls, SD — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Sioux Falls, SD sterile processing technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$31,696$51,056
City Median: $40,301
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

15.55% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Sioux Falls. The median salary is $40,301, compared to the national median of $47,724.$28.5K$34.8K$41.1K$47.3K$53.6K$31.7K10th Pctl$38.1K25th Pctl$40.3KMedian$46.1K75th Pctl$51.1K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of sterile processing technician pay in the Sioux Falls metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$775
per week
$3,360
per month
$40,321
per year

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 ToMedian SalarySioux Falls Pays
South Dakota Average$42,511-5.20% less
National Average$47,724-15.55% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Sioux Falls ($40,301) with South Dakota average ($42,511) and the US national median ($47,724).Sioux Falls$40,301South Dakota Avg$42,511-5.20%US National$47,724-15.55%

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

$40,301
Nominal Salary
90.631
CoL Index
$44,467
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.

The nominal salary is $40,301. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.631, the purchasing-power equivalent is $44,467, a gain of $4,166.$34.3K$39.4K$44.6K$49.7K$54.9K$40,301NominalSalary$44,467CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.631) 10.34%US Median $47.7K

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Sioux Falls. Baseline $31,530 in 2025, projected to $42,002 by 2027.$27.6K$31.8K$36.0K$40.2K$44.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$31.5K$32.1K$30.0K$32.3K$40.0K$39.1K$38.7K$40.3K$42.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$31,530Actual
2020$32,090Actual
2021$29,990Actual
2022$32,340Actual
2023$40,030Actual
2024$39,120Actual
2025$38,669Actual
2026(current)$40,301Estimated
2027$42,002Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Sioux Falls, SD in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Sioux Falls is $40,301/year ($19.38/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $31,696 at entry level (10th percentile) to $51,056 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Sioux Falls at 15.6% below the national median. Full-time sterile processing technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Sioux Falls, SD a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Sioux Falls sterile processing technician salaries are 15.6% below the national average and 5.2% below the South Dakota state average. The metro area employs approximately 300 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 90.631, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Sioux Falls?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Sioux Falls is $40,301, and the 90th percentile earns $51,056. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Sioux Falls?

After adjusting for Sioux Falls's cost-of-living index of 90.631 (where 100 equals the national average), the $40,301 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $44,467 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.3% further in Sioux Falls compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for sterile processing technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Sioux Falls?

Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux Falls earn a median hourly rate of $19.38, which translates to approximately $40,301/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $15.24 for entry-level positions to $24.55 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in South Dakota

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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

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