Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Lakeland, FL: $19.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Lakeland, FL runs $19.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,121 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Lakeland's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,075 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lakeland, Florida, the sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at $19.29, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This discrepancy can be significant for those considering part-time positions or per-diem opportunities in local healthcare settings like hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical clinics. With an hourly range from $16.57 at entry-level positions to $23.64 for top earners, technicians can make informed decisions about their career paths. The reality of working in diverse environments, such as decontamination and assembly rooms, endoscope reprocessing centers, and sterile delivery routes, adds to the complexity of salary expectations. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a clear snapshot of the job market in Lakeland.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.57 | $132.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.57 | $132.57 |
| Median (P50) | $19.29 | $154.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.56 | $172.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.64 | $189.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakeland
Based on $19.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.29/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakeland, FL can expect to earn approximately $40,126 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,149. With a cost-of-living index of 97.14 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakeland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakeland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $771.64 | $3,344 | $40,126 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $462.99 | $2,006 | $24,075 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $308.66 | $1,338 | $16,050 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Lakeland) | $19.29 |
| 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 Lakeland, FL earn a median of $40,121 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.93% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 8.20% below the Florida state average of $43,704.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.29/hr = $24,075/year (purchasing power: $24,784).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,126/year (purchasing power: $41,306).
CoL index: 97.141 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Lakeland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.11/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Lakeland grew 25.4% from $14.76/hr (2019) to $18.51/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.11/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 Lakeland 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 Lakeland
For technicians engaged on a part-time basis, working three days a week could yield an approximate annual income of around $24,000, markedly less than what full-time colleagues might earn. In contrast, per diem sterile processing technicians in Lakeland typically command higher hourly rates ranging from $22 to $32, especially if they have specialized credentials like the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER). The demand for travel contracts has surged, offering weekly pay between $1,000 and $1,500 in shortage markets. Hourly rates can fluctuate based on the type of employer—hospital sterile processing departments may provide stability with benefits, while third-party service providers might offer higher pay but without those same employee advantages. When negotiating pay, it's pivotal for technicians to assess the overall compensation package, including the value of health insurance and other benefits, ensuring their choices align with both financial needs and career goals in the evolving sterile processing field.
More salary data for Lakeland, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Lakeland in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Lakeland?
Are sterile processing technicians in Lakeland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Lakeland?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lakeland?
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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 Lakeland. 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