Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in San Bernardino, CA: $28.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in San Bernardino, CA runs $28.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,665 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against San Bernardino's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,794 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in San Bernardino, CA, earn a median hourly rate of $28.68, which is significantly above the national average of $22.94. This favorable hourly pay reflects the growing demand for skilled technicians trained to support sterile processing departments across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty surgical facilities. With such an hourly wage, part-time workers averaging three days a week can expect to earn approximately $1,375 weekly. The hourly pay for sterile processing technicians ranges broadly from $19.92 for entry-level positions to $44.46 for top earners, indicating that experience and credentials can play a major role in earnings. As health systems increasingly prioritize credentialing, particularly for endoscope reprocessing and other specialized areas like the CRCST and CER certifications, the potential for higher pay grows alongside the challenge of meeting these expectations.
About the San Bernardino 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) | $19.92 | $159.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.11 | $192.85 |
| Median (P50) | $28.68 | $229.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.66 | $285.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.46 | $355.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Bernardino
Based on $28.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.68/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Bernardino, CA can expect to earn approximately $59,657 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,418. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Bernardino.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Bernardino
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,147.25 | $4,971 | $59,657 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.35 | $2,983 | $35,794 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.90 | $1,989 | $23,863 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (San Bernardino) | $28.68 |
| 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 San Bernardino, CA earn a median of $59,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.02% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.80% below the California state average of $60,759.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.68/hr = $35,794/year (purchasing power: $31,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,657/year (purchasing power: $52,747).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Bernardino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Bernardino grew 27.4% from $21.60/hr (2019) to $27.52/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.89/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 San Bernardino 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 San Bernardino
When it comes to earnings, part-time sterile processing technicians working 24 hours a week may take home around $71,260 annually, compared to their full-time counterparts who typically clock in over 40 hours weekly. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in San Bernardino tends to fluctuate, often ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, while CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors can command between $28 and $40 per hour in agency placements, allowing for flexibility and variation in job experiences. Moreover, hourly rates can differ notable among employer types: hospital sterile processing departments generally offer more comprehensive benefits, while specialty practices and third-party services may provide higher pay at the cost of benefits. This balance between pay and perks is critical for many technicians as they weigh their job satisfaction versus financial needs. Negotiating for better pay is always a possibility, especially in a region where skilled technicians are in high demand due to the ongoing expansions in state registration laws and regulatory requirements in California.
More salary data for San Bernardino, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Bernardino in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in San Bernardino?
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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 San Bernardino. 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 San Bernardino 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