Salary guide
Sterile Processing Technician Salary & Pay Scale (2026)
What sterile processing technicians earn per year, per hour and per month, with the full percentile range, the factors that move pay and how to earn more.
The median sterile processing technician salary in the U.S. is $47,700 per year, or $22.93 per hour, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for May 2025. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $36,410, while the top 10% earned more than $69,950.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
Sterile Processing Technician pay scale
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly* | What it usually reflects |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,410 | $17.50 | Typical for new workers, part-time markets and lower-paying settings |
| 25th percentile | $39,800 | $19.13 | Early career, a year or two of experience |
| Median (50th) | $47,700 | $22.93 | Mid-career: half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $58,570 | $28.16 | Experienced workers, specialists and higher-paying employers |
| 90th percentile | $69,950 | $33.63 | Top earners: senior, specialized, supervisory or high-cost areas |
*Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. Percentile descriptions are general patterns, not guarantees.
Monthly and biweekly pay
| Pay period | At 25th percentile | At median | At 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per year | $39,800 | $47,700 | $58,570 |
| Per month | $3,317 | $3,975 | $4,881 |
| Every two weeks | $1,531 | $1,835 | $2,253 |
| Per week | $765 | $917 | $1,126 |
Gross pay before taxes and deductions.
What affects sterile processing technician pay
- Work setting (hospitals and outpatient care centers often pay more than physician offices or nursing homes)
- Shift differentials for nights, weekends and holidays
- Credentials such as national certification or state licensure
- Specialty experience (surgery, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics)
- Geography and cost of living: metropolitan areas and some states pay well above the national median
How to earn more as a sterile processing technician
- Get credentialed: Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS).
- Build specialty experience: Work all areas of the department.
- Move up: roles such as lead technician or instrument specialist and spd supervisor, educator or manager typically pay more.
- Negotiate: research local pay and use our salary negotiation guide.
Sterile Processing Technician pay vs. related careers
Job outlook
BLS projects employment of sterile processing technicians to change by +10.8% from 2025–35, much faster than average compared with the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,700 openings are projected each year, on average, including openings to replace workers who retire or change occupations.
About this data
Figures come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey (May 2025), which covers wage and salary workers nationwide under SOC code 31-9093 (“Medical equipment preparers”). Wages exclude self-employment income, overtime and most bonuses unless they are part of regular pay. We refresh these numbers when BLS releases new estimates each spring.
Sterile Processing Technician salary FAQ
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour?
The median hourly wage for sterile processing technicians was $22.93 in May 2025 (BLS). Hourly pay for the lowest 10% was about $17.50 and the top 10% earned about $33.63 or more.
How much does a sterile processing technician make a month?
At the median annual wage of $47,700, that works out to about $3,975 per month before taxes, or about $1,835 every two weeks.
What is the starting salary for a sterile processing technician?
New sterile processing technicians often start near the lower end of the range. The 10th percentile was $36,410 and the 25th percentile was $39,800 per year in May 2025. Starting pay depends on location, employer and credentials.
How can sterile processing technicians earn more?
Common ways include earning Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) and Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), gaining specialty experience, taking shifts or roles with premium pay, and moving up the career ladder to roles such as lead technician or instrument specialist.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 31-9093 (Medical equipment preparers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Medical equipment preparers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.