Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $45,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $45,318/year (≈ $21.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $43,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the sterile processing technician salary in Charlottesville, VA, is projected to reach a median of $45,318, which is slightly below the national median of $47,724. The salary range for this role varies widely, with entry-level positions starting around $36,814 and experienced technicians earning as much as $64,593. These figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional adjustments, highlighting a job market that has adapted to new credentialing standards established post-2021. As the sterile processing field shifts towards requiring formal certifications, the demand for credentialed professionals is expected to influence salaries and employment opportunities favorably.
About the Charlottesville Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,814 | $17.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,898 | $18.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,318 | $21.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,080 | $26.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,593 | $31.06 |
Median Salary Position
5.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,779 (2026 est.). At $45,318, the local median is 5.04% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $45,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $47,305 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -5.04% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $45,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.04% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.20% below the Virginia state average of $47,305.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $45,318 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $43,913 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$33,120
2025 BLS Actual
$43,483
2026 Current Est.
$45,318
2019–2027 Growth
+42.6%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,841 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,277 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,522 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,483 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,230 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 31.3% from $33,120 (2019) to $43,483 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,230 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,110 (42.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $36,814 – $38,898 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,898 – $45,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,318 – $55,080 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,080 – $64,593 |
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 Charlottesville
With only 10 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Charlottesville, the local job market demonstrates a specialized demand that can affect earnings potential. The cost of living index is slightly above the national average at 103.2, which can impact the purchasing power of local salaries. Typically, hospitals and large ambulatory surgical centers offer the most competitive pay, often driving higher wages for technicians who have stacked certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. Factors such as shift differentials for evening and overnight assignments, along with the presence of trauma centers, contribute significantly to the salary spread. For those seeking to enhance their pay in this region, pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles in higher-paying facilities could be effective strategies for leveraging their skills in a growing sector of healthcare.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
Is Charlottesville, VA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Charlottesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Charlottesville?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Charlottesville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $43,483 for sterile processing techniciansin the Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville 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