Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $21.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in St. Cloud, MN runs $21.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,872 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Cloud, Minnesota, the projected sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at $21.53, which is slightly lower than the national figure of $22.94. This rate translates well for part-time and per-diem workers, especially in settings like hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. For instance, a technician working three days a week might find flexibility that accommodates other commitments, receiving a consistent hourly wage while taking home respectable earnings. Those entering the field can expect to earn approximately $15.73, while highly experienced technicians can achieve rates as high as $32.21, illustrating the spectrum of earning potential as professionals gain skills, certifications, and experience.
About the St. Cloud Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.73 | $125.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.58 | $148.66 |
| Median (P50) | $21.53 | $172.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.15 | $209.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.21 | $257.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $21.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.53/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $44,786 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,838. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $861.27 | $3,732 | $44,786 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $516.76 | $2,239 | $26,872 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.51 | $1,493 | $17,915 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (St. Cloud) | $21.53 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $44,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.13% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $45,113.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.53/hr = $26,872/year (purchasing power: $27,281).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,786/year (purchasing power: $45,468).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+1.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Cloud grew -6.5% from $22.09/hr (2019) to $20.66/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.44/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
The earning potential for part-time sterile processing technicians in St. Cloud varies significantly from those in full-time positions. For someone working a typical three-day, 24-hour workweek, the annual income can hover around $26,958. In contrast, per-diem positions often pay more, with sterile processing technicians billing between $22 and $32 per hour, depending on experience. Advanced certifications, like the CER for endoscope reprocessors, can allow professionals to command rates as high as $40 per hour in agency placements. Demand also shifts across employer types; hospitals and specialty surgical centers might offer better benefits but at a marginally lower hourly rate compared to third-party services. Ultimately, professionals must weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly pay without benefits and slightly lower wages that come with health insurance. Locally, effective negotiation is key; understanding the specifics of St. Cloud's healthcare landscape can empower technicians to advocate for fair compensation reflective of their qualifications and the responsibilities they shoulder.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 St. Cloud. 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 St. Cloud 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