Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $23.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Waterbury, CT runs $23.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,745 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,239 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, the sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at a median of $23.43, which is a bit higher than the national median of $22.94. This competitive hourly rate creates favorable conditions for part-time workers, such as those engaged in a three-day workweek. With a schedule covering 24 hours per week, these technicians can still earn a sizeable income while enjoying the flexibility that many in healthcare seek. The hourly pay range for sterile processing technicians in this area extends from $18.83 at the entry level to about $35.97 for top earners, reflecting the diverse skills and certifications required for this profession. With the increasing emphasis on credentialing since 2021, technicians with higher qualifications, such as a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER), may find their efforts rewarded in financial terms.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.83 | $150.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.26 | $154.08 |
| Median (P50) | $23.43 | $187.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.69 | $221.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.97 | $287.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $23.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.43/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $48,732 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,114. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $937.15 | $4,061 | $48,732 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $562.29 | $2,437 | $29,239 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.86 | $1,624 | $19,493 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Waterbury) | $23.43 |
| 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 Waterbury, CT earn a median of $48,745 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.14% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% above the Connecticut state average of $48,024.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.43/hr = $29,239/year (purchasing power: $29,304).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,732/year (purchasing power: $48,840).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Waterbury grew 27.4% from $17.64/hr (2019) to $22.48/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.42/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 Waterbury 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 Waterbury
Part-time employment as a sterile processing technician in Waterbury can result in significant annual earnings despite working fewer hours compared to full-time positions. If a technician works 24 hours weekly, they would take home approximately $30,000 a year, substantially lower than full-time salaries but not insignificant for those requiring flexibility. Per diem options further diversify earning potential. Agency SPD technicians can bill anywhere from $22 to $32 an hour, and those with CER credentials may command even higher rates—between $28 and $40 per hour. Demand for travel sterile processing contracts has surged since 2020, with weekly pay ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, further enhancing the appeal of per diem work. Different employer settings, such as local hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and private practices, create variations in hourly rates. Because some employers offer benefits while others provide higher pay with no perks, technicians should weigh the trade-offs during negotiations. Understanding these dynamics can be advantageous for those seeking positions in Waterbury, CT, maximizing not only their earnings but also their work-life balance.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
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 Waterbury. 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, 4-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