Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Wausau, WI: $22.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Wausau, WI runs $22.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Wausau's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,003 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $22.44 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $22.94 per hour. This rate reflects the competitive nature of the job and can be particularly lucrative for part-time and per-diem workers. Those working three days a week can expect to earn a decent wage while providing necessary support in various settings, such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, or in ambulatory surgery centers. Entry-level technicians may start around $18.36, while those with more experience can earn as much as $27.50 per hour, highlighting a wage range that rewards skill development within the profession. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, providing a reliable foundation for understanding pay trends in this essential field.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.36 | $146.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.44 | $179.51 |
| Median (P50) | $22.44 | $179.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.85 | $190.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.50 | $220.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wausau
Based on $22.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.44/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wausau, WI can expect to earn approximately $46,672 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,926. With a cost-of-living index of 92.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wausau.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wausau
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $897.54 | $3,889 | $46,672 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $538.53 | $2,334 | $28,003 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $359.02 | $1,556 | $18,669 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Wausau) | $22.44 |
| 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 Wausau, WI earn a median of $46,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.20% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,289.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.44/hr = $28,003/year (purchasing power: $30,225).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,672/year (purchasing power: $50,374).
CoL index: 92.651 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Wausau (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Wausau grew 34.9% from $15.96/hr (2019) to $21.53/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.39/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 Wausau 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 Wausau
Considering part-time opportunities, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours per week could bring home approximately $27,494 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts. For those considering per diem positions, the pay ranges widely, as per diem sterile processing technician pay in Wausau often falls between $22 to $32 per hour, while certified endoscope reprocessors can earn even more at $28 to $40. The rise of travel contracts has also become a noteworthy phenomenon in recent years, with opportunities paying up to $1,500 per week. Hourly rates often vary among employer types, with hospitals typically offering lower rates than specialty surgical centers or private dental practices, where technicians may command higher hourly wages. When negotiating, candidates should weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly rates, and being equipped with relevant credentials, such as CRCST and CER, can be advantageous in this evolving job market in Wausau, WI.
More salary data for Wausau, WI:
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 Wausau. 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, 4-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