Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Dothan, AL: $14.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Dothan, AL runs $14.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $30,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Dothan's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.8, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $17.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $18,183 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dothan, Alabama, the sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at a median of $14.57, which is significantly below the national hourly median of $22.94. This wage reflects the realities of part-time work within the field, particularly for technicians employed three days a week. Those choosing per-diem work typically find themselves working in various environments, such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly pay range for technicians in Dothan extends from $11.22 for entry-level positions up to $18.90 for experienced technicians, indicating a wide disparity based on experience and skill level. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, revealing the economic landscape for those entering or advancing in the sterile processing career.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.22 | $89.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $11.22 | $89.80 |
| Median (P50) | $14.57 | $116.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $16.70 | $133.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.90 | $151.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dothan
Based on $14.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $14.57/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dothan, AL can expect to earn approximately $30,306 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $17,484. With a cost-of-living index of 83.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dothan.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dothan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $582.80 | $2,525 | $30,306 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $349.68 | $1,515 | $18,183 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $233.12 | $1,010 | $12,122 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Dothan) | $14.57 |
| 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 Dothan, AL earn a median of $30,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 36.54% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 15.50% below the Alabama state average of $35,841.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $14.57/hr = $18,183/year (purchasing power: $21,690).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $30,306/year (purchasing power: $36,150).
CoL index: 83.833 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$10.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$13.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$14.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Dothan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $10.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $12.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $13.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $14.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Dothan grew 27.4% from $10.97/hr (2019) to $13.98/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $15.18/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 Dothan 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 Dothan
When considering part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $18,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time colleagues. For those in per-diem positions, rates often soar to anywhere between $22 to $32 per hour, particularly for technicians who are CER-credentialed, with these specialized roles commanding $28 to $40 per hour. Notably, travel contracts in shortage markets may range from $1,000 to $1,500 weekly, which can provide significant income opportunities. Hourly rates can also fluctuate depending on the employer type; hospital SPDs may offer lower hourly pay in favor of benefits, while agency roles might provide higher wages with no benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rate, it's advisable to articulate the value of additional certification beyond CRCST, such as CIS and CER, especially in competitive Dothan markets.
More salary data for Dothan, AL:
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 Dothan. 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, 3-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