Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Winston, NC: $21.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Winston, NC runs $21.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,153 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Winston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,093 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the projected hourly pay for a sterile processing technician stands at $21.71, which is slightly below the national average of $22.94. This wage offers a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time technicians, particularly those working three days a week. For those who prefer per-diem roles, the hourly rate can be attractive and flexible, as many professionals in this field work in diverse environments, including hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $18.99 hourly, while experienced professionals may reach up to $29.15, reflecting the variations in skill, experience, and the specific demands of their workplace.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.99 | $151.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.44 | $155.50 |
| Median (P50) | $21.71 | $173.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.18 | $185.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.15 | $233.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston
Based on $21.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.71/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston, NC can expect to earn approximately $45,155 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,051. With a cost-of-living index of 92.04 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $868.36 | $3,763 | $45,155 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $521.02 | $2,258 | $27,093 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.34 | $1,505 | $18,062 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Winston) | $21.71 |
| 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 Winston, NC earn a median of $45,153 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.80% above the North Carolina state average of $43,923.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.71/hr = $27,093/year (purchasing power: $29,435).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,155/year (purchasing power: $49,058).
CoL index: 92.043 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Winston grew 30.8% from $15.93/hr (2019) to $20.83/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.63/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 Winston 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 Winston
For those considering part-time work, a sterile processing technician working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week would see significant earnings. While full-time workers leverage their position for steady incomes, part-time professionals can expect adaptability and possibly higher hourly rates. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Winston often falls between $22 and $32 hourly, while specialized roles, like those requiring the CER credential for endoscope reprocessing, could command $28 to $40 hourly in agency placements. The evolving nature of healthcare and the expanding need for qualified technicians may also bring travel contracts with pay ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 weekly. Employers in Winston, including hospital SPDs and surgical centers, vary their pay scales based on benefits. While some may offer lower hourly rates with health benefits, others might provide a higher hourly pay without additional perks. For aspiring sterile processing technicians, negotiating rates based on the local market and employee perks becomes crucial in determining their career path in Winston.
More salary data for Winston, 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 Winston. 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