Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Colorado Springs, CO: $24.79 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Colorado Springs, CO runs $24.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,566 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Colorado Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.7, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,943 per year.

$51,566
Median Annual Salary
$24.79/hr
Hourly Rate
$34,707
Entry Level (P10)
$64,153
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Rate in Colorado Springs, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Colorado Springs, CO sterile processing technician hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Colorado Springs, the hourly pay for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $24.79 in 2026, marking a notable increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This hourly wage provides a solid foundation for both part-time and per-diem workers, who often find themselves in various settings such as hospital sterile processing departments (SPDs), ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and endoscope reprocessing units. Workers in this profession can expect to earn between $16.69 and $30.85 hourly, allowing for a broad spectrum of earnings from entry-level positions to more experienced technicians. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data confirms these figures, highlighting the significance of sterile processing technician hourly pay in Colorado Springs as a competitive option within the healthcare job market.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$16.69$133.48
Lower Range (P25)$21.52$172.17
Median (P50)$24.79$198.35
Upper Range (P75)$29.85$238.79
Top Earners (P90)$30.85$246.79

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Colorado Springs

Based on $24.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a sterile processing technician in Colorado Springs earning $24.79/hr would make approximately $29,753 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $51,571 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$29,753Reduced (32 hr/wk)$39,670Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$51,571

At $24.79/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Colorado Springs, CO can expect to earn approximately $51,571 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,753. With a cost-of-living index of 100.71 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Colorado Springs.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$198.35
per 8hr shift
$991.76
per week
$4,298
per month
$51,571
per year

Schedule Comparison in Colorado Springs

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$991.76$4,298$51,571
Part-Time (24 hrs)$595.05$2,579$30,943
Per Diem (16 hrs)$396.70$1,719$20,629

Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Sterile Processing Technician (Colorado Springs)$24.79
Surgical Technologist (National Avg)$29.34
Medical Assistant (National Avg)$20.14
Phlebotomist (National Avg)$20.36
Nursing Assistant (National Avg)$18.86
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Colorado Springs ($51,566) with Colorado average ($48,971) and the US national median ($47,724).Colorado Springs$51,566Colorado Avg$48,971+5.30%US National$47,724+8.05%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $51,566 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 5.30% above the Colorado state average of $48,971.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $24.79/hr = $30,943/year (purchasing power: $30,726).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,571/year (purchasing power: $51,209).

CoL index: 100.707 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$16.88/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$23.79/hr

2026 Current Est.

$24.79/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+53.1%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Colorado Springs (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs. Baseline $16.88/hr in 2025, projected to $25.84/hr by 2027.$15$18$21$24$282019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$16.88$17.24$18.30$19.37$22.70$22.43$23.79$24.79$25.84
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$16.88/hrActual
2020$17.24/hrActual
2021$18.30/hrActual
2022$19.37/hrActual
2023$22.70/hrActual
2024$22.43/hrActual
2025$23.79/hrActual
2026(current)$24.79/hrEstimated
2027$25.84/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs grew 40.9% from $16.88/hr (2019) to $23.79/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.84/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Colorado Springs

Part-time sterile processing technicians working three days a week (24 hours total) will take home approximately $28,294 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. For those seeking flexibility, per-diem opportunities are common, with rates typically ranging from $22 to $32 per hour for standard tasks. Specialized roles, such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors, can command $28 to $40 per hour, especially in agency placements. Hourly rates can vary based on employer types in Colorado Springs; for instance, hospital SPDs often provide benefits, leading to lower hourly wages, while private practices and third-party services might offer higher rates without benefits. When negotiating, it's advisable for hourly workers to prioritize their needs—whether it's securing health insurance or maximizing take-home pay—and to consider the emerging trend of travel contracts in shortage markets, which can yield up to $1,500 per week.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs is $24.79/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Rates range from $16.69 at entry level (10th percentile) to $30.85 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 8.1% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Colorado Springs?

A part-time sterile processing technician working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Colorado Springs earns approximately $2,579/month, or $30,943/year at the median hourly rate of $24.79. Many sterile processing technicians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs paid hourly or salary?

The majority of sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs are paid hourly at a median rate of $24.79/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $51,571/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Colorado Springs?

A full-time sterile processing technician working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Colorado Springs earns approximately $51,571/year at the median hourly rate of $24.79. This is 8.1% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $64,166/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Colorado Springs?

Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians in Colorado Springs sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $30.85/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Colorado

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 Colorado Springs. 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

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