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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Processing Technician in California is $56,411 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.
However, a Processing Technician's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Processing Technician Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $60,496 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
| Average | $56,411 | $4,701 | $1,085 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,284 | $4,274 | $986 | $25 |
Donatech Corporation - Torrance, CA
Howmet Aerospace - Brea, CA
Aeriz - Riverbank, CA
Howmet Aerospace - Lomita, CA
A Processing Technician's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Processing Technician's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Process E... Level Processing Technician | $50,597 |
| Processin... Level Processing Technician | $57,480 |
| Process E... Level Processing Technician | $68,072 |
| Process E... Level Processing Technician | $129,154 |
| Process E... Level Processing Technician | $156,852 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Processing Technicians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Processing Technician roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Energy & Utilities and Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Processing Technician positions in Transportation or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Processing Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy & Utilities | $67,694 | $33.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $64,873 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Telecom | $64,873 | $31.0 | 15% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $62,052 | $30.0 | 10% |
| Biotechnology | $62,052 | $30.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Processing Technician's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $60,496 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
| Average | $56,411 | $4,701 | $1,085 | $27 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,284 | $4,274 | $986 | $25 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Processing Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Nesco Resource
Fullerton, CA
Nesco Resource | Fullerton, CA
Nesco Resource - - Responsibilities: Assist with inspecting components to the proper customer and production specifications. Assist other operators with pr... more
7 Days Ago
Howmet Aerospace
Torrance, CA
Howmet Aerospace | Torrance, CA
Howmet Aerospace - 3000 Lomita Boulevard - Responsibilities: Set up, operate, and maintain plating machines. Process parts and meet print/specifications. T... more
8 Days Ago
BROTHERSTECH INC
Modesto, CA
BROTHERSTECH INC | Modesto, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Position. Sterile Processing Technician. Location. Modesto, CA 95350. Position Type. 3 Months Contract to Permanent. Shif... more
5 Days Ago
Phenom People
Santa Fe Springs, CA
Phenom People | Santa Fe Springs, CA
General Donor Center - Entry-Level. Want to expand your career-development potential, your ability to help donors and patients, and your access to professi... more
5 Days Ago
MedCadre Inc
Santa Rosa, CA
MedCadre Inc | Santa Rosa, CA
Position:Sterile Processing Tech (SPT)Location:Santa Rosa, CA 95405 Shift:Mid 5x8-Hour (15:00 - 23:00)Contract Duration:13 WeeksStart date:07/06/2026 Compa... more
6 Days Ago
Softnice Inc
Modesto, CA
Softnice Inc | Modesto, CA
Overview Join our dynamic healthcare team as a Sterile Processing Technician Supervisor, where you'll lead and oversee the sterilization and preparation of... more
6 Days Ago
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