Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $20.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Hickory, NC runs $20.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,282 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,376 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $20.33 in 2026. This rate is below the national median of $22.94, which can impact local workers seeking additional income through part-time or per-diem positions. For a technician working three days a week, equating to around 24 hours, this pay structure can yield a weekly take-home that fits well into an alternative lifestyle or a supplemental income. Entry-level sterile processing technicians may expect to earn as little as $17.71, while experienced workers could reach up to $26.99. With 70 professionals currently employed in this area, these figures reflect the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data projections, indicating a steady pathway for those entering the healthcare field in Hickory.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.71 | $141.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.71 | $141.66 |
| Median (P50) | $20.33 | $162.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.67 | $181.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.99 | $215.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $20.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.33/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $42,293 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,400. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $813.33 | $3,524 | $42,293 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $488.00 | $2,115 | $25,376 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $325.33 | $1,410 | $16,917 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Hickory) | $20.33 |
| 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 Hickory, NC earn a median of $42,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.70% below the North Carolina state average of $43,907.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.33/hr = $25,376/year (purchasing power: $28,678).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,293/year (purchasing power: $47,797).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Hickory grew 27.4% from $15.31/hr (2019) to $19.51/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.19/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 Hickory 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 Hickory
For those considering part-time work as sterile processing technicians, it’s essential to recognize the differences in earning potential compared to full-time positions. While a 3-day workweek may yield a modest annual income based on the hourly rate, per diem opportunities present a distinct path with possibly higher returns. Many per-diem sterile processing technicians bill anywhere from $22 to $32 an hour, while those with CER credentials in endoscope reprocessing can command rates between $28 and $40. Additionally, travel contracts have emerged in Hickory’s market, which can pay between $1,000 and $1,500 per week. Working conditions across employer types also influence pay; hospitals may provide lower hourly rates but offer benefits, while ambulatory surgical centers and specialty practices often pay higher but may lack health insurance. Technicians weighing these options should consider their long-term goals and negotiate hourly rates accordingly to maximize their earnings while navigating the dynamic landscape of sterile processing technician hourly rates in NC.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 Hickory. 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, 6-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