Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Louisville, KY: $21.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Louisville, KY runs $21.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,604 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Louisville's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Louisville, Kentucky, a sterile processing technician can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $21.45, which is slightly below the national median of $22.94. This rate offers an attractive option for workers seeking part-time positions, such as those working three days a week in various settings, including hospital SPD decontamination rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing areas. The hourly pay for sterile processing technicians in this city ranges from $15.13 at the entry-level to as much as $32.56 for seasoned professionals. These figures are drawn from annual salary estimates projected for 2026, which reflect the growing importance of credentialing in the industry, especially since many employers now prefer candidates with certifications like CRCST and CER.
About the Louisville Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.13 | $121.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.98 | $135.82 |
| Median (P50) | $21.45 | $171.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.86 | $214.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.56 | $260.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville
Based on $21.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.45/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville, KY can expect to earn approximately $44,613 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,738. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $857.94 | $3,718 | $44,613 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $514.76 | $2,231 | $26,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $343.18 | $1,487 | $17,845 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Louisville) | $21.45 |
| 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 Louisville, KY earn a median of $44,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.54% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 9.00% above the Kentucky state average of $40,921.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.45/hr = $26,768/year (purchasing power: $29,975).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,613/year (purchasing power: $49,958).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Louisville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.72/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Louisville grew 27.4% from $16.15/hr (2019) to $20.58/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.35/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 Louisville 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 Louisville
Exploring the earning potential of a sterile processing technician highlights noteworthy differences between part-time work and full-time employment. For instance, a technician working three days a week, totaling 24 hours, would earn approximately $26,966 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Interestingly, many technicians opt for per-diem roles or work through staffing agencies, where pay rates typically range from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized endoscope reprocessors commanding between $28 and $40 per hour. In Louisville, pay varies by employer type, with hospital sterile processing departments generally offering competitive rates compared to ambulatory surgical and specialty centers. While some workers may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health insurance benefits, others may prioritize higher hourly rates without benefits. For those negotiating pay, it’s essential to research prevailing rates in the area and highlight credentials and experience to secure the most favorable terms possible.
More salary data for Louisville, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Louisville 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 Louisville. 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 Louisville 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