Know your market value with insights across roles — from individual contributors to executive pay and overall company compensation trends.
Access a suite of powerful calculators to make data-driven career decisions.
Automate pay cycles, manage job architectures, and ensure pay equity with AI-powered compensation platforms.
Access validated salary benchmarks, labor market trends, and minimum wage data to stay competitive.
Participate in and purchase industry-specific salary surveys to obtain the most accurate, peer-reported pay data.
As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Sterile Tech in California is $61,497 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Sterile Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
Smart Recruiting
AI-Powered HR
Sterile Tech Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $64,723 | $5,394 | $1,245 | $31 |
| Average | $61,497 | $5,125 | $1,183 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,842 | $4,570 | $1,055 | $26 |
Sutter Auburn Faith Hospital - Auburn, CA
Meda Health - Moreno Valley, CA
Convergence Medical Staffing - Chico, CA
Staff DNA - Los Angeles, CA
A Sterile Tech'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 Sterile Tech'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 |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Sterile Tech | $60,850 |
| Intermediate Level Sterile Tech | $61,035 |
| Senior Level Sterile Tech | $63,071 |
| Specialist Level Sterile Tech | $64,122 |
| Expert Level Sterile Tech | $64,197 |
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 Sterile Teches. 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 Sterile Tech roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Sterile Tech positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Sterile Tech as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | $73,797 | $35.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Sterile Tech'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 | $64,723 | $5,394 | $1,245 | $31 |
| Average | $61,497 | $5,125 | $1,183 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $54,842 | $4,570 | $1,055 | $26 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Sterile Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
InSync Consulting Services
Los Angeles, CA
InSync Consulting Services | Los Angeles, CA
Sterile Processing Tech. Travel Profession: Sterile Processing Tech. Weekly Pay: $1,536. Shift Details: 8-Hour PM. Job Order Details: Start Date 09/14/2026... more
8 Days Ago
Magnet Medical
Northridge, CA
Magnet Medical | Northridge, CA
Sterile Processing Tech. Travel offering nursing profession. Specialty: Sterile Processing Tech. Regular pay rate: $24. Shift details: 8 hour mids. Job ord... more
10 Days Ago
InSync Consulting Services
Sacramento, CA
InSync Consulting Services | Sacramento, CA
Sterile Processing Tech. Shift: 8-Hour Day. Start Date: 08/18/2026. End Date: 11/14/2026. Duration: 13 Week(s). Location: Sacramento, CA more
12 Days Ago
Common Spirit Health
Northridge, CA
Common Spirit Health | Northridge, CA
Sterile Processing Tech II. Inspired by faith. Driven by innovation. Powered by humankindness. CommonSpirit Health is building a healthier future for all t... more
8 Days Ago
ATC West Healthcare Services
Fresno, CA
ATC West Healthcare Services | Fresno, CA
Job Title. ATC Healthcare Services, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, r... more
8 Days Ago
USPI
Modesto, CA
USPI | Modesto, CA
Sterile Processing Tech FT. Modesto, California Coffee Road Surgery Center, LLC Category Clinical Job ID 90586-147 Status Full-Time/Regular Salary Range $2... more
8 Days Ago
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.
Explore Cost of Living CalculatorSalary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.
Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
