Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in San Francisco, CA: $39.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in San Francisco, CA runs $39.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,182 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against San Francisco's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.6, 16% above national), each hour of work buys what $34.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,308 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Francisco, sterile processing technicians earn a median hourly rate of $39.51, significantly higher than the national median of $22.94. This substantial difference reflects the region's elevated cost of living and demand for skilled professionals in sterile processing departments. For part-time employees typically working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a comfortable income, while per-diem workers can also benefit, especially in high-demand settings such as hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly range for sterile processing technicians in San Francisco spans from $27.72 for entry-level roles up to $46.02 for the most experienced technicians, illuminating the broad earning potential within this field.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.72 | $221.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.14 | $241.12 |
| Median (P50) | $39.51 | $316.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.08 | $328.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.02 | $368.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Francisco
Based on $39.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.51/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Francisco, CA can expect to earn approximately $82,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,412. With a cost-of-living index of 115.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Francisco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Francisco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,580.39 | $6,848 | $82,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $948.24 | $4,109 | $49,308 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $632.16 | $2,739 | $32,872 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (San Francisco) | $39.51 |
| 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 Francisco, CA earn a median of $82,182 per year (2026 est.), which is 72.20% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 35.20% above the California state average of $60,785.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.51/hr = $49,308/year (purchasing power: $42,649).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,180/year (purchasing power: $71,082).
CoL index: 115.613 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Francisco grew 26.2% from $30.05/hr (2019) to $37.91/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.18/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 Francisco 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 Francisco
Considering the financial implications of part-time versus full-time work, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week can expect to earn just under $62,000 annually, compared to the potential for higher earnings in full-time positions. Per-diem roles present another avenue, where technicians might bill anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour, while those with specific certifications like CER may see rates between $28 and $40. Additionally, travel contracts for sterile processing professionals have emerged, offering enticing weekly pay ranges of $1,000 to $1,500 in markets experiencing staff shortages. The diversity in hourly rates across various employers, including hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and third-party service providers, allows technicians to weigh benefit offerings against hourly pay rates. Negotiating effectively in the competitive San Francisco market may involve emphasizing credentials like CRCST and understanding the nuances of health insurance offerings, which can lead to better compensation packages overall.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Francisco 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 San Francisco. 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