Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Pueblo, CO: $22.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Pueblo, CO runs $22.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,054 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Pueblo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,237 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pueblo, CO, sterile processing technicians receive a median hourly pay of $22.63, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $22.94. This pay rate reflects the range of work environments in which these professionals operate, including hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental practices. For part-time workers who typically schedule about three days a week, this median translates to an annual income that might support a modest lifestyle, especially given the area's relatively lower cost of living index at 91.762. Entry-level technicians may earn as little as $14.87 an hour, while experienced top earners in Pueblo can achieve rates up to $36.26. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics illustrates how compensation varies significantly within the profession.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.87 | $118.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.01 | $144.07 |
| Median (P50) | $22.63 | $181.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.85 | $222.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.26 | $290.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pueblo
Based on $22.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.63/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pueblo, CO can expect to earn approximately $47,062 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,151. With a cost-of-living index of 91.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pueblo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pueblo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $905.05 | $3,922 | $47,062 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.03 | $2,353 | $28,237 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.02 | $1,569 | $18,825 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Pueblo) | $22.63 |
| 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 Pueblo, CO earn a median of $47,054 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.40% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.90% below the Colorado state average of $48,964.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.63/hr = $28,237/year (purchasing power: $30,772).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,062/year (purchasing power: $51,287).
CoL index: 91.762 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Pueblo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Pueblo grew 27.4% from $17.04/hr (2019) to $21.71/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.58/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 Pueblo 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 Pueblo
Considering the potential for part-time work, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week could expect to take home roughly $28,100 annually, a stark contrast to what full-timers earn with benefits. Per-diem positions present another realistic avenue for increased earnings, with pay fluctuating between $22 and $32 per hour for typical assignments. Those with specialized credentials, such as the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER), may find themselves billed at rates ranging from $28 to $40 per hour when engaged through agencies. The dynamics across different employer types in Pueblo—be it hospitals, specialized surgical centers, or third-party services—also influence hourly rates. Technicians must consider the trade-offs between accepting lower hourly wages with employer-provided benefits and seeking higher pay without health insurance. Negotiation can hinge on local market demands, so being informed about current rates and articulating relevant credentials can significantly empower technicians in their job discussions.
More salary data for Pueblo, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Pueblo. 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, 5-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