Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Burlington, VT: $50,916 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Burlington, VT earns a median $50,916/year (≈ $24.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $50,437 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Vermont state average.

$50,916
Median Annual Salary
$24.47/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,452
Entry Level (P10)
$73,368
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

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

In Burlington, Vermont, the projected median annual salary for sterile processing technicians in 2026 is $50,916, reflecting a lucrative compensation landscape when compared to the national median of $47,724. This market in Burlington shows potential for growth, with salaries ranging from $43,452 at the 10th percentile to $73,368 at the 90th percentile. Such figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight how shift differentials and the demand for evening or overnight surgical tray turnover can significantly boost earnings for technicians in this field. Those looking to enter or advance in this profession should be optimistic about the employment landscape, as Burlington's healthcare sector is increasingly relying on skilled technicians to meet rising procedural demands.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,452$20.89
Lower Range (P25)$48,495$23.32
Median (P50)(typical)$50,916$24.47
Upper Range (P75)$73,368$35.28
Top Earners (P90)$73,368$35.28

Median Salary Position

$43,452$73,368
City Median: $50,916
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

6.69% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Burlington. The median salary is $50,916, compared to the national median of $47,724.$39.1K$48.6K$58.1K$67.6K$77.0K$43.5K10th Pctl$48.5K25th Pctl$50.9KMedian$73.4K75th Pctl$73.4K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Burlington, VT, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,916 (2026 est.). At $50,916, the local median is 6.69% above the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$979
per week
$4,242
per month
$50,899
per year

At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Burlington Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Burlington median: $50,916/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBurlington Pays
Vermont Average$47,407+7.40% more
National Average$47,724+6.69% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Burlington ($50,916) with Vermont average ($47,407) and the US national median ($47,724).Burlington$50,916Vermont Avg$47,407+7.40%US National$47,724+6.69%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Burlington, VT earn a median of $50,916 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 7.40% above the Vermont state average of $47,407.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$50,916
Nominal Salary
100.949
CoL Index
$50,437
Adjusted Salary

Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $50,916. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 100.949, the purchasing-power equivalent is $50,437, a loss of $479.$40.6K$45.1K$49.6K$54.1K$58.6K$50,916NominalSalary$50,437CoL Adjusted(CoL: 100.949) -0.94%US Median $47.7K

Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,916 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,437 — a 0.94% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$38,346

2025 BLS Actual

$48,854

2026 Current Est.

$50,916

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Burlington (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 Burlington. Baseline $38,346 in 2025, projected to $53,064 by 2027.$35.4K$40.6K$45.7K$50.9K$56.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$38.3K$39.7K$39.1K$42.5K$40.4K$49.4K$48.9K$50.9K$53.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$38,346Actual
2020$39,739Actual
2021$39,145Actual
2022$42,484Actual
2023$40,370Actual
2024$49,440Actual
2025$48,854Actual
2026(current)$50,916Estimated
2027$53,064Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $38,346 (2019) to $48,854 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,718 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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)$43,452$48,495
3-5 years (Mid Career)$48,495$50,916
5+ years (Experienced)$50,916$73,368
10+ years (Top Earner)$73,368$73,368

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 Burlington

With approximately 70 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Burlington, the job market shows a solid demand for these professionals. Given the cost of living index standing at 100.949, it adds context to the take-home pay levels and indicates that while salaries are competitive, local living expenses are slightly above the national average. Major employers in the area, including hospital sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers, tend to offer the highest wages, driven by the necessity for emergency surgical support and specialized credentialing. Variables affecting salary extremes include shift differentials for evening or overnight roles and additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, or CER. To maximize earning potential in this unique Burlington market, technicians are advised to pursue advanced credentials, seek roles in higher-paying facilities, and focus on obtaining experience in trauma centers or outpatient surgical environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Burlington, VT in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Burlington is $50,916/year ($24.47/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,452 at entry level (10th percentile) to $73,368 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Burlington at 6.7% above 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 Burlington, VT a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Burlington sterile processing technician salaries are 6.7% above the national average and 7.4% above the Vermont state average. The metro area employs approximately 70 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 100.949, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Burlington?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Burlington is $50,916, and the 90th percentile earns $73,368. 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 Burlington?

After adjusting for Burlington's cost-of-living index of 100.949 (where 100 equals the national average), the $50,916 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $50,437 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Burlington reduce the effective value of your salary by 0.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

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

Sterile Processing Technicians in Burlington earn a median hourly rate of $24.47, which translates to approximately $50,916/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $20.89 for entry-level positions to $35.28 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 Vermont

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 $48,854 for sterile processing techniciansin the Burlington 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, 3-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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