Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $21.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Detroit, MI runs $21.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,593 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,353 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Detroit, the hourly pay for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $21.92 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median of $22.94. This level of compensation allows those working part-time, such as a technician on a three-day-a-week schedule, to earn a decent income while maintaining flexible hours, essential for balancing personal and professional commitments. In addition, per-diem roles deliver an appealing option in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and other settings like endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly rates in this field vary significantly, with entry-level positions earning approximately $19.05 and experienced professionals potentially making up to $29.47, highlighting the earning potential across the experience spectrum in Detroit.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.55 | $156.41 |
| Median (P50) | $21.92 | $175.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.14 | $193.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.47 | $235.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $21.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.92/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $45,588 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,301. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $876.70 | $3,799 | $45,588 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $526.02 | $2,279 | $27,353 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $350.68 | $1,520 | $18,235 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Detroit) | $21.92 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $45,593 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.47% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% below the Michigan state average of $45,730.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.92/hr = $27,353/year (purchasing power: $27,272).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,588/year (purchasing power: $45,453).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$18.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Detroit grew 15.9% from $18.15/hr (2019) to $21.03/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.84/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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Detroit 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 Detroit
For part-time sterile processing technicians working a 24-hour week, their annual take-home can significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. Some per diem technicians in Detroit can reach earnings of $22-$32 an hour, while those with a CER credential in agency placements may bill up to $40 an hour. Notably, travel contracts for sterile processing technicians, primarily formed during staffing shortages post-2020, can yield between $1,000 and $1,500 weekly. The variety of employment settings in Detroit can lead to differing hourly rates, as hospital sterile processing departments often offer comprehensive benefits alongside lower hourly wages compared to specialty surgical centers, which might pay higher but with limited or no benefits. This duality encourages many to prioritize higher hourly pay without benefits against stability in healthcare coverage. For effective negotiations, prospective workers should research employer-specific compensation trends and rally for higher pay, especially in light of increasing demand for proficient technicians post-pandemic, guided by the credential requirements from professional organizations like HSPA.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Detroit in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Detroit?
Are sterile processing technicians in Detroit paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Detroit?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Detroit?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Detroit. 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