Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Tracy, CA: $28.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Tracy, CA runs $28.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,035 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Tracy's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,417 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The sterile processing technician hourly pay in Tracy, California, stands at a median of $28.38, which is significantly higher than the national median of $22.94. This competitive wage is particularly appealing to part-time workers who typically work around three days a week; for them, the hourly rate translates to a solid income that makes this career an attractive option in various healthcare settings. Typical environments for sterile processing technicians include hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing facilities. The hourly compensation ranges from $22.05 for entry-level positions to approximately $41.25 for those in top-tier roles. It's worth considering that these figures are based on annual salary projections adjusted to an hourly scale, providing a clear picture of earnings for those in this essential profession in Tracy.
About the Tracy 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) | $22.05 | $176.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.76 | $190.10 |
| Median (P50) | $28.38 | $227.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.46 | $283.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.25 | $330.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tracy
Based on $28.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.38/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tracy, CA can expect to earn approximately $59,029 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,055. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tracy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tracy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,135.16 | $4,919 | $59,029 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $681.10 | $2,951 | $35,417 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $454.07 | $1,968 | $23,611 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Tracy) | $28.38 |
| 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 Tracy, CA earn a median of $59,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.70% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 2.80% below the California state average of $60,736.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.38/hr = $35,417/year (purchasing power: $31,315).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,029/year (purchasing power: $52,191).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Tracy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Tracy grew 27.4% from $21.37/hr (2019) to $27.23/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.58/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 Tracy 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 Tracy
The potential earnings for part-time sterile processing technicians can differ markedly from their full-time counterparts. A technician working three days a week for a total of 24 hours could expect to take home about $35,000 annually at the median rate, which is a meaningful return compared to many entry-level jobs. Additionally, per diem sterile processing technician pay in Tracy ranges from $22 to $32 an hour, with specialized roles, such as a CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessor, commanding between $28 and $40 in agency placements. The hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the type of employer, with hospitals often providing more comprehensive benefits compared to ambulatory surgery centers or third-party processing services. While some technicians are willing to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job stability, others may pursue opportunities with higher pay but fewer benefits. Negotiating pay in Tracy requires an understanding of local market rates and employer expectations, particularly as the demand for skilled technicians continues to rise amid evolving state registration laws and credentialing requirements in the industry.
More salary data for Tracy, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Tracy 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 Tracy. 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 Tracy 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