As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Certified Sterile Processing Tech in California is $43,189 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, a Certified Sterile Processing Tech's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Certified Sterile Processing Tech Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $46,297 | $3,858 | $890 | $22 |
| Average | $43,189 | $3,599 | $831 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,853 | $3,321 | $766 | $19 |
University of Southern California - Arcadia, CA
Kaiser Permanente - Richmond, CA
Sharp HealthCare - San Diego, CA
Kaiser Permanente - Santa Rosa, CA
A Certified Sterile Processing 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 Certified Sterile Processing 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 Certified Sterile Processing Tech | $42,864 |
| Intermediate Level Certified Sterile Processing Tech | $43,420 |
| Senior Level Certified Sterile Processing Tech | $44,511 |
| Specialist Level Certified Sterile Processing Tech | $44,660 |
| Expert Level Certified Sterile Processing Tech | $44,908 |
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 Certified Sterile Processing 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:
Understanding how a Certified Sterile Processing 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 | $46,297 | $3,858 | $890 | $22 |
| Average | $43,189 | $3,599 | $831 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,853 | $3,321 | $766 | $19 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Certified Sterile Processing Tech job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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