Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $44,750 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $44,750/year (≈ $21.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $45,617 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a sterile processing technician in Salt Lake City, Utah, is projected to be $44,750, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. This salary reflects local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors. The salary range for this role spans from $34,407 at the lower end (P10) to $68,525 at the upper end (P90). Notably, the growing need for specialized skills in endoscope reprocessing is enhancing earning potential across the field, as technicians with certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER can command higher wages. With the rising demand for certified professionals following the 2021 credential requirement shift, the job market for sterile processing technicians is becoming increasingly competitive in Salt Lake City.
About the Salt Lake City Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,407 | $16.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,335 | $17.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,750 | $21.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,637 | $27.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,525 | $32.94 |
Median Salary Position
6.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,118 (2026 est.). At $44,750, the local median is 6.23% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salt Lake City Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $44,750/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $44,930 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.23% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $44,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% below the Utah state average of $44,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,750 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,617 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,910
2025 BLS Actual
$42,938
2026 Current Est.
$44,750
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,938 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,750 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 13.3% from $37,910 (2019) to $42,938 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,728 (23.02%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $34,407 – $37,335 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,335 – $44,750 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,750 – $56,637 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,637 – $68,525 |
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 Salt Lake City
The local job market indicates that there are currently 42 sterile processing technicians employed in the Salt Lake City area, reflecting a concentrated workforce in this specialty. With a cost-of-living index of 98.1, which is below the national average, technicians in this region may find their earnings offer a reasonable purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and third-party sterile processing service providers. Factors driving the disparities in pay include shift differentials for evening and overnight work, the value of stacked credentials, and supervisory roles. To maximize pay in this market, professionals should consider obtaining additional certifications and seeking positions in trauma centers or specialty surgical centers, where higher compensation is often available.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Salt Lake City?
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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 $42,938 for sterile processing techniciansin the Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City 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