Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Vallejo, CA: $39.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Vallejo, CA runs $39.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,653 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Vallejo's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,581 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Vallejo, CA, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to reach $39.73 by 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $22.94. This robust pay rate allows technicians, whether working part-time in environments such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or dental practices, to earn a competitive wage. For example, a technician working three days a week could potentially see earnings that not only sustain a comfortable lifestyle but also reflect their skill level and the rigorous training involved in obtaining credentials like CRCST and CER. With hourly wages ranging from $20.92 at the entry level to $41.07 for those in the top percentile, the employment landscape in Vallejo is attractive for both new entrants and seasoned professionals.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.92 | $167.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.04 | $304.32 |
| Median (P50) | $39.73 | $317.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.07 | $328.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.07 | $328.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Vallejo
Based on $39.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.73/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Vallejo, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,636 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,674. With a cost-of-living index of 108.48 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Vallejo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Vallejo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,589.15 | $6,886 | $82,636 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $953.49 | $4,132 | $49,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $635.66 | $2,755 | $33,054 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Vallejo) | $39.73 |
| 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 Vallejo, CA earn a median of $82,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 73.19% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 36.00% above the California state average of $60,774.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.73/hr = $49,581/year (purchasing power: $45,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,636/year (purchasing power: $76,177).
CoL index: 108.479 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$32.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Vallejo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $35.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Vallejo grew 18.3% from $32.21/hr (2019) to $38.12/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.41/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 Vallejo 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 Vallejo
Considering the employment dynamics, part-time sterile processing technicians working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $49,153 annually, whereas full-time technicians could earn much more, making the profession appealing for those seeking flexible schedules. In a market where per diem sterile processing technician pay in Vallejo typically falls between $22 and $32 per hour, earning potential varies widely based on employer type and experience. Specialty roles, particularly in endoscope reprocessing, allow certified technicians to command rates of $28 to $40 per hour. Some technicians in the area may choose to forgo higher hourly wages in exchange for consistent benefits offered by hospital positions, emphasizing the trade-offs in career choices within this field. As state registration laws tighten and credential requirements become more prominent, understanding one's worth in negotiations can ensure that local expertise is properly compensated.
More salary data for Vallejo, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Vallejo in 2026?
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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 Vallejo. 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