Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Huntsville, AL: $17.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Huntsville, AL runs $17.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $35,608 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Huntsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $21,370 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntsville, Alabama, the median hourly pay for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $17.12 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $22.94 per hour. This rate is significant for those considering part-time work; technicians working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $410 weekly before taxes. Per-diem sterile processing technicians typically find work in various settings, such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly pay for these roles ranges from $15.12 for entry-level technicians to approximately $21.97 for experienced professionals, demonstrating the potential for growth within the field. This information, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, sheds light on the financial expectations for sterile processing technicians in the region.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.12 | $120.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.87 | $134.99 |
| Median (P50) | $17.12 | $136.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.89 | $167.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.97 | $175.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntsville
Based on $17.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.12/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntsville, AL can expect to earn approximately $35,617 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $20,548. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $684.93 | $2,968 | $35,617 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $410.96 | $1,781 | $21,370 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $273.97 | $1,187 | $14,247 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Huntsville) | $17.12 |
| Surgical Technologist (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.86 |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Huntsville, AL earn a median of $35,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.39% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.70% below the Alabama state average of $35,859.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.12/hr = $21,370/year (purchasing power: $22,961).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $35,617/year (purchasing power: $38,268).
CoL index: 93.072 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Huntsville grew 26.4% from $13.00/hr (2019) to $16.43/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem sterile processing technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
Working as an Hourly Sterile Processing Technician in Huntsville
When considering part-time earnings, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week might take home around $21,257 annually, a stark contrast to the annual earnings of full-time workers, who earn significantly more by working 40-hour weeks. For per-diem roles, compensation can vary widely; they often bill between $22 and $32 per hour, while those with specialized certifications, such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors, may see rates as high as $28 to $40 per hour. The type of employer significantly impacts pay structures as well; hospitals generally offer lower rates compared to specialty surgical centers or third-party sterilization services. It's crucial for technicians to weigh the benefits of positions offering lower hourly rates against those providing health insurance and other benefits. For those negotiating rates in Huntsville, emphasizing relevant credentials and experience can be effective strategies to secure competitive pay, especially within the evolving landscape of sterile processing roles that increasingly prioritize accreditation.
More salary data for Huntsville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Huntsville in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Huntsville?
Are sterile processing technicians in Huntsville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Huntsville?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Huntsville?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for sterile processing technicians in Huntsville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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