Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $32.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in San Diego, CA runs $32.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,865 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, a sterile processing technician can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $32.63, significantly higher than the national median of $22.94. This competitive pay reflects not only the demand for skilled technicians in hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms but also the importance of their role in ensuring patient safety and compliance with health regulations. For technicians working part-time, typically around three days a week, this hourly rate translates into a robust wage that can sustain a comfortable lifestyle, particularly in a city where the cost of living is above the national average. Entry-level sterile processing technicians can start at around $23.64 per hour, while experienced professionals in the top percentile can earn as much as $38.26 per hour, showcasing a broad salary range that offers growth potential in this vital healthcare role.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.64 | $189.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.79 | $230.28 |
| Median (P50) | $32.63 | $261.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.24 | $297.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.26 | $306.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $32.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.63/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $67,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,158. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,305.25 | $5,656 | $67,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $783.15 | $3,394 | $40,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $522.10 | $2,262 | $27,149 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (San Diego) | $32.63 |
| 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 Diego, CA earn a median of $67,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.20% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 11.70% above the California state average of $60,756.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.63/hr = $40,724/year (purchasing power: $36,397).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,873/year (purchasing power: $60,662).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Diego grew 27.8% from $24.49/hr (2019) to $31.31/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.01/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 Diego 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 Diego
Part-time sterile processing technicians working a 24-hour week can expect to take home about $40,671 annually, a substantial income for those balancing multiple roles or pursuing credential stacking such as CRCST, CIS, and CER. The per diem sterile processing technician pay in San Diego can range from $22 to $32 per hour, with those holding specialized certifications like CER earning up to $40 per hour in agency placements due to rising demand for endoscope reprocessing expertise. Variability in hourly rates can stem from employer types—hospital sterile processing departments often provide better benefits, while specialty surgical centers and third-party processors may offer higher hourly wages but potentially fewer advantages like health insurance. Technicians aiming to negotiate their pay should consider the higher hourly rates that come without benefits to weigh the trade-offs based on personal and professional needs in a competitive San Diego job market.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in San Diego?
Are sterile processing technicians in San Diego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in San Diego?
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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 Diego. 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, 7-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