Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Yakima, WA: $46,043 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Yakima, WA earns a median $46,043/year (≈ $22.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Yakima's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $48,190 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Yakima, Washington can expect a median annual salary of $46,043 in 2026, a figure that corresponds closely with the local job market dynamics and the growing demand for qualified professionals in the healthcare sector. The salary range for these technicians spans from $37,139 at the 10th percentile to $62,893 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience, credentials, and the nature of employment. Shift differentials also play a key role, especially for those working evening or overnight shifts dedicated to surgical tray turnover, driving compensation upwards. These insights are derived from the official BLS OEWS surveys, providing a clear snapshot of what one can expect from the sterile processing technician pay in Yakima WA as the state advances its hiring standards post-2021.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,139 | $17.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,160 | $18.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,043 | $22.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,216 | $25.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,893 | $30.23 |
Median Salary Position
3.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yakima
In Yakima, WA, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,754 (2026 est.). At $46,043, the local median is 3.52% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yakima: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yakima Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Yakima median: $46,043/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yakima Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $48,062 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -3.52% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Yakima, WA earn a median of $46,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.52% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $48,062.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yakima has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Yakima, WA has a cost-of-living index of 95.545 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $46,043 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,190 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,676
2025 BLS Actual
$44,179
2026 Current Est.
$46,043
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,936 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,179 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,043 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yakima metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $34,676 (2019) to $44,179 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,310 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yakima 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) | $37,139 – $39,160 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,160 – $46,043 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,043 – $52,216 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,216 – $62,893 |
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 Yakima
A local workforce of about 40 sterile processing technicians in Yakima highlights the competitive environment for employment opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 95.545, take-home pay feels more substantial than in areas with higher living costs, offering a better quality of life relative to earnings. The highest compensation is typically found within hospital sterile processing departments, often influenced by credentials such as CRCST, CIS, and CER, especially in specialized settings like trauma centers. Several factors contribute to the wage spread, including shift differentials, supervisory pay, and the differences between hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. To maximize earnings in this market, certification stacking, seeking positions in high-demand facilities, and being open to various shifts are effective strategies for aspiring technicians.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Yakima, WA in 2026?
Is Yakima, WA a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Yakima?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Yakima?
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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 $44,179 for sterile processing techniciansin the Yakima 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, 5-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