Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Gallatin, TN: $44,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Gallatin, TN earns a median $44,492/year (≈ $21.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Gallatin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $48,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gallatin, TN, sterile processing technicians earn a median annual salary of $44,492, reflecting local market conditions and cost-of-living adjustments as projected for 2026. The pay range for this role spans from $33,318 at the lower end to $64,410 for the highest earners, emphasizing a rewarding potential for skilled professionals. Evening and overnight shifts in surgical settings can enhance compensation, driving pay up through shift differentials. As facilities compete for qualified talent, the demand for certified professionals capable of managing complex reprocessing duties positions Gallatin favorably in the broader job market, making the sterile processing field an attractive career option for candidates in the area.
About the Gallatin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,318 | $16.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,814 | $18.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,492 | $21.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,681 | $26.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,410 | $30.96 |
Median Salary Position
6.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gallatin
In Gallatin, TN, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,092 (2026 est.). At $44,492, the local median is 6.77% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gallatin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gallatin Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Gallatin median: $44,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gallatin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $45,868 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.77% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Gallatin, TN earn a median of $44,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.77% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.00% below the Tennessee state average of $45,868.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gallatin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gallatin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,492 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,466 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,508
2025 BLS Actual
$42,690
2026 Current Est.
$44,492
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Gallatin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,508 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,725 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,206 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,524 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,606 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,369 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gallatin metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,508 (2019) to $42,690 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,369 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,861 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gallatin 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) | $33,318 – $38,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,814 – $44,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,492 – $54,681 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,681 – $64,410 |
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 Gallatin
With only 11 sterile processing technicians employed locally, the job market in Gallatin remains niche but promising, especially considering the regional cost-of-living index of 91.8, which suggests a lower expense than the national average. This environment fosters greater purchasing power for technicians in the area. Employers in Gallatin, including hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical centers, typically offer the best compensation. The disparity in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as shift differentials related to evening and overnight surgical tray turnovers, credential stacking (e.g., attaining CRCST, CIS, and CER certifications), and various roles within hospital settings versus surgery centers. Technicians looking to maximize their pay should consider pursuing additional certification and exploring employment options in trauma centers or other specialized facilities, where higher pay scales are prevalent.
More salary data for Gallatin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Gallatin?
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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 $42,690 for sterile processing techniciansin the Gallatin 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 Gallatin 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