Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Fitchburg, WI: $47,028 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Fitchburg, WI earns a median $47,028/year (≈ $22.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Fitchburg's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $50,351 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Wisconsin state average.

$47,028
Median Annual Salary
$22.61/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,178
Entry Level (P10)
$67,374
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Fitchburg, Wisconsin, a career as a sterile processing technician offers competitive earning potential with a projected median salary of $47,028 for 2026, closely aligning with the national average of $47,724. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $37,178 (P10) and more experienced technicians earning up to $67,374 (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, reflect the demand for skilled professionals in the field. Unique factors like shift differentials for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover contribute to compensation variations, making Fitchburg a promising market for sterile processing technicians.

About the Fitchburg Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$37,178$17.87
Lower Range (P25)$39,610$19.04
Median (P50)(typical)$47,028$22.61
Upper Range (P75)$57,511$27.65
Top Earners (P90)$67,374$32.39

Median Salary Position

$37,178$67,374
City Median: $47,028
National: $47,724
P10–P90 Range

1.46% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fitchburg

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for sterile processing technicians in Fitchburg. The median salary is $47,028, compared to the national median of $47,724.$33.5K$42.8K$52.1K$61.4K$70.7K$37.2K10th Pctl$39.6K25th Pctl$47.0KMedian$57.5K75th Pctl$67.4K90th PctlUS Median$47.7K

In Fitchburg, WI, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,196 (2026 est.). At $47,028, the local median is 1.46% below the national median of $47,724.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$904
per week
$3,918
per month
$47,019
per year

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

How Fitchburg Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares

Fitchburg median: $47,028/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFitchburg Pays
Wisconsin Average$47,312-0.60% less
National Average$47,724-1.46% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Fitchburg ($47,028) with Wisconsin average ($47,312) and the US national median ($47,724).Fitchburg$47,028Wisconsin Avg$47,312-0.60%US National$47,724-1.46%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Fitchburg, WI earn a median of $47,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,312.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$47,028
Nominal Salary
93.4
CoL Index
$50,351
Adjusted Salary

Fitchburg has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $47,028. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $50,351, a gain of $3,323.$40.0K$44.5K$48.9K$53.4K$57.9K$47,028NominalSalary$50,351CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.4) 7.07%US Median $47.7K

Fitchburg, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $47,028 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,351 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$35,418

2025 BLS Actual

$45,124

2026 Current Est.

$47,028

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fitchburg (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 Fitchburg. Baseline $35,418 in 2025, projected to $49,013 by 2027.$32.7K$37.5K$42.2K$47.0K$51.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.4K$36.7K$36.2K$39.2K$42.8K$42.7K$45.1K$47.0K$49.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,418Actual
2020$36,705Actual
2021$36,156Actual
2022$39,240Actual
2023$42,835Actual
2024$42,714Actual
2025$45,124Actual
2026(current)$47,028Estimated
2027$49,013Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fitchburg metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $35,418 (2019) to $45,124 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,595 (38.38%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fitchburg 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)$37,178$39,610
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,610$47,028
5+ years (Experienced)$47,028$57,511
10+ years (Top Earner)$57,511$67,374

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 Fitchburg

With only six sterile processing technicians currently employed in Fitchburg, the local job market presents a unique opportunity for interested professionals. A cost-of-living index of 93.4 suggests that the purchasing power in the region is favorable compared to the national average. Hospitals with robust sterile processing departments and specialty surgical centers tend to offer the highest pay, influenced by both experience levels and credentialing—certifications such as CRCST, CIS, and CER can enhance earning potential significantly. Specialty roles and supervisory positions also command higher pay. For those entering this field, focusing on obtaining essential credentials and considering shift preferences can greatly impact salary outcomes in the Fitchburg area, particularly in high-demand environments like trauma centers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Fitchburg, WI in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median sterile processing technician salary in Fitchburg is $47,028/year ($22.61/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,178 at entry level (10th percentile) to $67,374 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Fitchburg at 1.5% below 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 Fitchburg, WI a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?

Fitchburg sterile processing technician salaries are 1.5% below the national average and 0.6% below the Wisconsin state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 sterile processing technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Fitchburg?

The median sterile processing technician salary in Fitchburg is $47,028, and the 90th percentile earns $67,374. 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 Fitchburg?

After adjusting for Fitchburg's cost-of-living index of 93.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $47,028 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $50,351 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.1% further in Fitchburg compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for sterile processing technicians seeking strong real wages.

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

Sterile Processing Technicians in Fitchburg earn a median hourly rate of $22.61, which translates to approximately $47,028/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.87 for entry-level positions to $32.39 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 Wisconsin

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 $45,124 for sterile processing techniciansin the Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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