Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Charlotte, NC: $22.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Charlotte, NC runs $22.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,444 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Charlotte's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,873 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For sterile processing technicians in Charlotte, NC, the projected hourly rate for 2026 is $22.33, which falls slightly below the national average of $22.94. This hourly wage suggests a robust earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in the dynamic environments of hospital sterile processing departments (SPD), ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing facilities. Workers in these roles can expect to earn between $18.01 at entry-level positions and up to $29.50 as experienced professionals, reflecting a wage range that accommodates various skill levels and responsibilities. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing a credible basis for contemplating career options in this growing field.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.10 | $152.83 |
| Median (P50) | $22.33 | $178.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.64 | $197.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.50 | $236.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlotte
Based on $22.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.33/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlotte, NC can expect to earn approximately $46,455 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,801. With a cost-of-living index of 97.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlotte.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlotte
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $893.37 | $3,871 | $46,455 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $536.02 | $2,323 | $27,873 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $357.35 | $1,549 | $18,582 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Charlotte) | $22.33 |
| 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 Charlotte, NC earn a median of $46,444 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.80% above the North Carolina state average of $43,898.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.33/hr = $27,873/year (purchasing power: $28,633).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,455/year (purchasing power: $47,721).
CoL index: 97.348 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Charlotte grew 37.5% from $15.59/hr (2019) to $21.43/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.28/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 Charlotte 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 Charlotte
The earning dynamics for a part-time sterile processing technician, working three days a week, translate to approximately $27,920 annually, compared to a full-time role that would yield about $46,444. For those considering per diem positions, the pay can vary widely; many sterile processing technicians bill between $22 and $32 per hour. Credential stacking in this profession, such as obtaining certified registered central service technician (CRCST) and certified endoscope reprocessor (CER) credentials, can lead to enhanced opportunities and higher pay, especially in agency roles where specialties are in demand. Work in various settings, including dental practices or third-party service providers, often comes with a trade-off—technicians might choose positions with lower hourly pay but better health benefits versus those that offer higher hourly wages without such perks. Negotiating based on the specific market conditions in Charlotte can yield significant improvements in take-home pay; it's advisable to target hospitals and larger facilities that typically offer more stability and benefits.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
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 Charlotte. 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