Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Yuba City, CA: $28.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Yuba City, CA runs $28.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Yuba City's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,172 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yuba City, sterile processing technicians can expect a median hourly rate of $28.98, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $22.94. This competitive pay reflects the rising demand for professionals who ensure the cleanliness and readiness of surgical instruments across various settings, such as hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. For technicians working part-time, specifically those on a three-day work schedule, the earning potential is promising; they can still achieve a substantial income while maintaining flexibility in their hours. With an hourly range from entry-level positions at $21.18 to experienced technicians earning up to $41.57, the field offers opportunities for career progression and specialization, especially in areas like endoscope reprocessing, which is seeing increased attention from employers due to regulatory changes and litigation risks.
About the Yuba 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) | $21.18 | $169.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.00 | $200.02 |
| Median (P50) | $28.98 | $231.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.16 | $281.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.57 | $332.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yuba City
Based on $28.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.98/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yuba City, CA can expect to earn approximately $60,286 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,780. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Yuba City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yuba City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,159.34 | $5,024 | $60,286 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.61 | $3,014 | $36,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.74 | $2,010 | $24,114 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Yuba City) | $28.98 |
| 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 Yuba City, CA earn a median of $60,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.34% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 0.80% below the California state average of $60,783.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.98/hr = $36,172/year (purchasing power: $31,982).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,286/year (purchasing power: $53,303).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Yuba City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Yuba City grew 27.4% from $21.83/hr (2019) to $27.81/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.21/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 Yuba 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 Yuba City
For those considering part-time work or per-diem opportunities within Yuba City, the financial outlook varies significantly based on how one engages with the job market. A sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week could earn around $44,393 annually, which, while lower than full-time earnings, provides a stable income for those balancing other commitments. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Yuba City typically ranges from $22 to $32 per hour; however, those with additional credentials, such as certified endoscope reprocessors, can secure rates of $28 to $40 per hour in agency placements. Employment settings also influence hourly compensation, with hospitals generally offering competitive benefits that may lead to a trade-off for lower hourly rates compared to private practices or third-party service providers. As industry standards shift towards credential-required hiring, technicians especially valuing stability may prefer the slightly reduced hourly pay accompanied by comprehensive benefits. Negotiating pay in this evolving landscape can greatly affect one's earnings, especially considering the growing emphasis on specialized training and certifications.
More salary data for Yuba City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Yuba 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 Yuba 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 Yuba 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