Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Santa Cruz, CA: $39.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Santa Cruz, CA runs $39.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,411 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Santa Cruz's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.9, 10% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,853 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Cruz, California, the standard pay for a sterile processing technician is an attractive $39.15 per hour, significantly higher than the national median of $22.94. This hourly rate translates well for part-time professionals who may work three days a week, earning around $626 per week for 24 hours, which can be a viable income. Per-diem workers finding opportunities in various settings, such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms or ASCs, can also benefit from the competitive pay structure. The hourly range for sterile processing technicians in Santa Cruz varies from $18.30 for entry-level positions to $41.28 for experienced technicians in leadership roles or specialized functions. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.30 | $146.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.02 | $216.19 |
| Median (P50) | $39.15 | $313.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.62 | $317.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.28 | $330.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Cruz
Based on $39.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.15/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Cruz, CA can expect to earn approximately $81,422 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,974. With a cost-of-living index of 109.90 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Cruz.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Cruz
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,565.80 | $6,785 | $81,422 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $939.48 | $4,071 | $48,853 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $626.32 | $2,714 | $32,569 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Santa Cruz) | $39.15 |
| 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 Santa Cruz, CA earn a median of $81,411 per year (2026 est.), which is 70.59% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 34.00% above the California state average of $60,755.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.15/hr = $48,853/year (purchasing power: $44,454).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,422/year (purchasing power: $74,090).
CoL index: 109.896 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+101.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Santa Cruz (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Santa Cruz grew 85.2% from $20.28/hr (2019) to $37.56/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.80/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 Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz
As part-time sterile processing technicians consider their earning potential, it’s noteworthy that working just 24 hours a week can yield an annual income of roughly $32,500. This is substantially less than a full-time technician earning $81,411 annually. Per diem positions—which allow for greater flexibility—often have pay rates ranging between $22 and $32 per hour, depending on the technician's experience and the complexity of the tasks required. Notably, certified endoscope reprocessors may find agency contracts with rates of $28 to $40 per hour, especially in response to increased demand in recent years. Various employers in Santa Cruz, such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and multi-doctor dental practices, may offer differing hourly wages. While the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits like health insurance can be a consideration, those seeking higher pay may opt for positions without additional benefits. For optimal job negotiation, technicians should gather local market data to advocate for their worth effectively.
More salary data for Santa Cruz, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Santa Cruz. 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, 5-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