Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Bentonville, AR: $18.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Bentonville, AR runs $18.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,332 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Bentonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,594 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the sterile processing technician hourly pay aligns at a median rate of $18.91, which lags behind the national median of $22.94. This disparity highlights the financial realities that part-time or per-diem workers face while operating in various settings, such as hospital SPD decontamination areas, assembly rooms, and endoscope reprocessing units. With an hourly range extending from $13.68 for entry-level roles to $26.91 for top earners, prospective technicians may view the job as a stable entry point into health care, while experienced professionals can command higher rates commensurate with their expertise. The projected hourly rates around Bentonville are estimates derived from annual salary data, providing a snapshot for individuals considering careers as sterile processing technicians.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.68 | $109.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.21 | $129.65 |
| Median (P50) | $18.91 | $151.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.87 | $182.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.91 | $215.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bentonville
Based on $18.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.91/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bentonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $39,323 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,687. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bentonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bentonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $756.22 | $3,277 | $39,323 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.73 | $1,966 | $23,594 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.49 | $1,311 | $15,729 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Bentonville) | $18.91 |
| 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 Bentonville, AR earn a median of $39,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.58% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $39,809.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.91/hr = $23,594/year (purchasing power: $27,151).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,323/year (purchasing power: $45,251).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Bentonville grew 27.4% from $14.24/hr (2019) to $18.14/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.70/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 Bentonville 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 Bentonville
Taking on a part-time schedule, such as working three days a week for 24 hours, results in an annual take-home pay considerably lower than full-time counterparts, significantly impacting financial planning. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Bentonville tends to fluctuate, with some professionals billing between $22-$32 an hour, while those with specialized certifications in endoscope reprocessing can command rates as high as $28-$40 in agency placements. Different employer types, such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical practices, can also influence variation in hourly rates, where some technicians may sacrifice higher earnings in favor of benefits like health insurance offered by employers. In negotiation discussions, potential candidates could focus on the full value of the compensation package, balancing between higher hourly wages and the security that benefits might provide in the long run, especially in a post-2021 climate where credentialing requirements are becoming more stringent across Arkansas.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Bentonville in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Bentonville?
Are sterile processing technicians in Bentonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Bentonville?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Bentonville?
Related Pages
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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 Bentonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bentonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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