Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $19.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Fort Smith, AR runs $19.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,297 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.30 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,179 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Fort Smith, Arkansas, can expect an estimated median hourly pay of $19.37 in 2026. This rate falls significantly below the national median hourly pay of $22.94, indicating a typical earning structure where technicians in Fort Smith earn roughly 15.56% less than their counterparts nationwide. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this translates into a predictable income while balancing personal commitments. The hourly rate in Fort Smith ranges from $14.78 for entry-level positions (P10) to $28.57 for top earners (P90). Given the variety of work environments, including hospital sterile processing departments (SPDs) and ambulatory surgery centers, these figures reflect a broader industry standard shaped by local demand and economic factors.
About the Fort Smith 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) | $14.78 | $118.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.01 | $128.07 |
| Median (P50) | $19.37 | $155.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.97 | $191.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.57 | $228.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $19.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.37/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $40,299 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,249. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $774.98 | $3,358 | $40,299 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $464.99 | $2,015 | $24,179 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $309.99 | $1,343 | $16,120 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Fort Smith) | $19.37 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $40,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.56% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $39,819.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.37/hr = $24,179/year (purchasing power: $27,824).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,299/year (purchasing power: $46,374).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Fort Smith grew 27.4% from $14.59/hr (2019) to $18.59/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.19/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
Considering part-time opportunities, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week at the projected rate can anticipate an annual take-home income noticeably lower than a full-time professional, who generally earns more due to additional hours. For those seeking flexibility, per-diem roles are increasingly popular, with pay typically ranging from $22 to $32 an hour. Credentialed endoscope reprocessors can command even higher rates, sometimes between $28 and $40 per hour, particularly in agency placements. The shift in demand for skilled technicians has opened avenues for travel contracts, offering weekly payments of $1,000 to $1,500 in competitive environments. Hourly rates may also differ based on the employer type; hospitals, surgical centers, and specialty practices may offer varying compensation, impacting the overall compensation package. It’s worth considering how benefits such as health insurance can offset hourly rates, with some opting for lower wages in exchange for security. For technicians looking to negotiate their pay in Fort Smith, understanding these dynamics and being transparent about skills and credentials can prove advantageous for securing better hourly rates in a changing job market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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 Fort Smith. 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 Fort Smith 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