Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in West Palm Beach, FL: $22.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in West Palm Beach, FL runs $22.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,398 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against West Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,433 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Palm Beach, the projected sterile processing technician hourly pay for 2026 stands at $22.78, slightly lower than the national median of $22.94. This hourly rate offers attractive pay for both part-time and per-diem workers, especially in high-demand settings such as hospital sterile processing departments (SPDs) and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Part-time technicians working three days a week can expect to earn around $1,095 weekly before taxes, while per-diem roles present varied opportunities and can range from $17.02 to $34.21 per hour. With such dynamic compensation options, the earning potential for new technicians just entering the field contrasts sharply with those at the top of the hourly scale, showcasing considerable income variation based on experience and specialization within the sterile processing profession.
About the West Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.02 | $136.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.66 | $149.24 |
| Median (P50) | $22.78 | $182.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.48 | $227.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.21 | $273.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Palm Beach
Based on $22.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.78/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $47,388 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,339. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in West Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $911.30 | $3,949 | $47,388 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.78 | $2,369 | $28,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.52 | $1,580 | $18,955 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (West Palm Beach) | $22.78 |
| 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 West Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $47,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.68% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 8.50% above the Florida state average of $43,685.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.78/hr = $28,433/year (purchasing power: $28,207).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,388/year (purchasing power: $47,011).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in West Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in West Palm Beach grew 27.4% from $17.16/hr (2019) to $21.86/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.74/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 West Palm Beach 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 West Palm Beach
For those contemplating part-time work, a sterile processing technician committed to a 24-hour weekly schedule could realize an annual income of approximately $54,624—much lower than full-time earnings. Per diem or agency technicians can often leverage their skills for higher pay, with rates frequently hitting between $22 and $32 per hour; certified endoscope reprocessors may achieve even higher rates ranging from $28 to $40 per hour. The market has seen a surge in travel contracts, with some technicians reporting earnings of $1,000 to $1,500 a week. Additionally, hourly rates can differ based on the employer type; for instance, hospital SPDs typically provide benefits and consistent hours, while private surgical centers may offer higher hourly pay without benefits. When negotiating hourly rates in West Palm Beach, having certifications such as CRCST or CER can bolster your positioning, allowing for potentially higher compensation in this evolving landscape of sterile processing.
More salary data for West Palm Beach, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in West Palm Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in West Palm Beach?
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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 West Palm Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Palm Beach is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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