Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in St. Petersburg, FL: $22.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in St. Petersburg, FL runs $22.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,949 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against St. Petersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,172 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Petersburg, FL, the projected hourly median pay for a sterile processing technician stands at $22.57, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This hourly compensation equates to an income that can support part-time roles, such as working three days a week, which can be appealing for those seeking work-life balance in healthcare settings like hospital SPD areas, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly wage ranges from $17.17 at the entry-level to $34.99 for experienced technicians, providing ample opportunities for both novice and seasoned professionals. This flexibility in hourly pay represents various levels of responsibility and expertise within a crucial field in healthcare, where technicians contribute significantly to patient care and safety.
About the St. Petersburg Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.17 | $137.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.79 | $150.33 |
| Median (P50) | $22.57 | $180.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.84 | $222.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.99 | $279.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Petersburg
Based on $22.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.57/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Petersburg, FL can expect to earn approximately $46,954 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,089. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in St. Petersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Petersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $902.96 | $3,913 | $46,954 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $541.78 | $2,348 | $28,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $361.18 | $1,565 | $18,782 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (St. Petersburg) | $22.57 |
| 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 St. Petersburg, FL earn a median of $46,949 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.62% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 7.40% above the Florida state average of $43,714.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.57/hr = $28,172/year (purchasing power: $27,949).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,954/year (purchasing power: $46,581).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.66/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in St. Petersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.66/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Petersburg grew 27.4% from $17.00/hr (2019) to $21.66/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.53/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 St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg
When considering part-time work, a sterile processing technician operating on a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect to earn approximately $28,000 annually, a significant difference when compared to those in full-time positions. Per diem roles in sterile processing may offer $22 to $32 per hour, while specialized roles such as a certified endoscope reprocessor can secure rates of $28 to $40 per hour, especially through agency placements. In St. Petersburg's various healthcare settings—from hospitals to specialty dental practices—hourly pay can fluctuate based on employer type and the specific skills required. Many professionals weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages against the stability of benefits that come with certain full-time roles, which can affect their overall job satisfaction. For those negotiating their salary, understanding the local market and the demand for credentials like CRCST and CER can provide leverage when discussing pay rates.
More salary data for St. Petersburg, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Petersburg in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in St. Petersburg?
Are sterile processing technicians in St. Petersburg paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in St. Petersburg?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in St. Petersburg?
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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 St. Petersburg. 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 St. Petersburg 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