Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Middletown, DE: $19.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Middletown, DE runs $19.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $19.16 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,322 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middletown, Delaware, sterile processing technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $19.49, which is notably lower than the national median of $22.94. This discrepancy highlights the local market dynamics and could affect job opportunities for part-time workers, particularly those looking to work three days a week in various settings like hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, as well as ambulatory surgery centers. The hourly compensation spans from an entry-level wage of $15.56 to nearly $26.73 for top earners in the area, reflecting the increasing significance of certification in the field, especially since the post-2021 focus on credentials like CRCST and CER. This environment suggests that even entry-level technicians in Middletown are gaining traction in a profession that was traditionally on-the-job training based, now shifting toward more standardized qualifications.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.56 | $124.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.43 | $131.40 |
| Median (P50) | $19.49 | $155.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.20 | $185.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.73 | $213.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $19.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.49/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, DE can expect to earn approximately $40,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,387. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $779.57 | $3,378 | $40,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $467.74 | $2,027 | $24,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.83 | $1,351 | $16,215 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Middletown) | $19.49 |
| 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 Middletown, DE earn a median of $40,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.06% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $43,874.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.49/hr = $24,322/year (purchasing power: $23,916).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,537/year (purchasing power: $39,860).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$14.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Middletown grew 27.4% from $14.68/hr (2019) to $18.70/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.31/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 Middletown 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 Middletown
Part-time sterile processing technicians in Middletown, working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week, would earn around $24,800 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. For those considering per diem options, the market reflects a promising potential as agency placements can offer per diem sterile processing technician pay ranging from $22 to $32 per hour. This makes per diem positions attractive for those looking for flexibility. Moreover, endoscope reprocessors with the CER credential can see rates soar between $28 and $40 per hour in agency roles, with travel contracts offering weekly compensation of $1,000 to $1,500 in areas experiencing staffing shortages. It's essential for technicians to consider the trade-offs of different employer types, ranging from hospitals to dental specialty practices, as this can influence overall compensation and benefits. Those with specific credentials might negotiate for higher pay but may need to forgo additional benefits such as health insurance that often come with positions in large hospital systems. In a competitive field like sterile processing, negotiating hourly rates taking into account experience and credentialing can be crucial to securing a favorable position that aligns with one's financial needs and career goals.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Middletown 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 Middletown. 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 Middletown 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