Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Redwood City, CA: $28.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Redwood City, CA runs $28.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,440 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Redwood City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,664 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Redwood City, California, earn a median hourly pay of $28.58, significantly higher than the national median of $22.94. This competitive hourly rate reflects not only the specialized skills required for the job but also the cost of living in the area, which is above the national average. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this pay translates to a substantial supplement to income, while per-diem workers, often in hospital settings or ambulatory surgery centers, benefit from similar earning potential. The hourly pay ranges from $22.48 for entry-level roles to as much as $41.90 for experienced technicians, providing a clear pathway for career advancement within the sterile processing field.
About the Redwood City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.48 | $179.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.53 | $188.26 |
| Median (P50) | $28.58 | $228.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.28 | $282.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.90 | $335.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redwood City
Based on $28.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.58/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redwood City, CA can expect to earn approximately $59,440 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,293. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redwood City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redwood City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,143.08 | $4,953 | $59,440 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.85 | $2,972 | $35,664 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $457.23 | $1,981 | $23,776 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Redwood City) | $28.58 |
| 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 Redwood City, CA earn a median of $59,440 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.55% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.20% below the California state average of $60,777.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.58/hr = $35,664/year (purchasing power: $31,533).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,440/year (purchasing power: $52,556).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Redwood City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Redwood City grew 27.4% from $21.52/hr (2019) to $27.42/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.78/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 Redwood City 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 Redwood City
In analyzing the financial landscape for sterile processing technicians, part-time professionals working a 24-hour schedule can net around $44,659 annually, which contrasts sharply with full-time earnings but still represents a solid income in the Redwood City area. Per-diem sterile processing technicians may have variable pay between $22 and $32 per hour, while those with specific certifications like CER may see rates climbing to $28-$40 per hour. The burgeoning demand for skilled SPD professionals, driven by credential requirements and heightened awareness of infection control, has led to opportunities in travel contracts that pay $1,000-$1,500 weekly. The hourly rates can vary depending on the employer type, whether it's a hospital department, ambulatory surgery center, or third-party service, leading many to weigh the benefits of steady employment against potentially higher hourly wages without benefits. Negotiating salaries in this field often involves discussing not just pay but also the importance of health coverage and job security, essential factors for many professionals in Redwood City.
More salary data for Redwood City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Redwood City in 2026?
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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 Redwood City. 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 Redwood City 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