Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Slidell, LA: $18.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Slidell, LA runs $18.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,280 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Slidell's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,970 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Slidell, Louisiana, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $18.41 in 2026, which falls noticeably below the national median of $22.94. This rate translates well for part-time and per-diem roles, allowing professionals in the field to earn a reasonable income while working flexible schedules, typically found in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or specialized instrument processing rooms. Workers at the entry-level can expect to earn around $11.53 per hour, while experienced technicians reach the upper end of the spectrum, with some top earners making $24.26 an hour. This official BLS hourly data highlights the earning potential within Slidell’s healthcare systems, even as the pay reflects challenges against national averages.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.53 | $92.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.99 | $111.89 |
| Median (P50) | $18.41 | $147.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.89 | $191.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.26 | $194.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Slidell
Based on $18.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.41/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Slidell, LA can expect to earn approximately $38,283 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,086. With a cost-of-living index of 92.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Slidell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Slidell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $736.21 | $3,190 | $38,283 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $441.73 | $1,914 | $22,970 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $294.48 | $1,276 | $15,313 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Slidell) | $18.41 |
| 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 Slidell, LA earn a median of $38,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.79% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.40% above the Louisiana state average of $36,667.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.41/hr = $22,970/year (purchasing power: $24,772).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,283/year (purchasing power: $41,286).
CoL index: 92.726 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Slidell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.86/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Slidell grew 27.4% from $13.86/hr (2019) to $17.66/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.18/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 Slidell 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 Slidell
When considering the financial implications of working part-time, a sterile processing technician who works three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can take home around $22,900 annually, significantly less than a full-time worker. For those interested in per diem or agency employment, the potential for higher hourly wages becomes evident, with rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour for standard positions, and up to $40 for specialized endoscope reprocessing roles. Different employers in Slidell, including hospitals, private surgical centers, and dental practices, may offer varied pay scales. Some technicians may opt for slightly lower hourly rates in positions that provide crucial benefits such as health insurance, creating a balancing act between immediate pay and long-term security. Finally, for those negotiating salaries, it’s advisable to research local pay trends and highlight relevant certifications, such as CRCST or CER, to maximize potential earnings in this evolving field.
More salary data for Slidell, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Slidell. 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, 2-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