Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $23.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Chicago, IL runs $23.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,655 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,187 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, the projected median hourly pay for sterile processing technicians stands at $23.39, which is notably higher than the national median of $22.94. This hourly rate opens up financial opportunities for both part-time workers and those opting for per-diem positions. For example, a technician working three 8-hour days each week would earn around $448 weekly, making this a viable option in hospital SPD decontamination areas, assembly rooms, and in operations like endoscope reprocessing or OR case cart staging. The hourly earnings can range from $18.98 for entry-level positions to $34.27 per hour for those at the top of their field, indicating a robust earning potential for technicians as they gain experience and credentials. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.98 | $151.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.54 | $180.34 |
| Median (P50) | $23.39 | $187.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.60 | $220.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.27 | $274.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $23.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.39/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $48,645 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,064. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $935.48 | $4,054 | $48,645 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.29 | $2,432 | $29,187 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.19 | $1,621 | $19,458 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Chicago) | $23.39 |
| 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 Chicago, IL earn a median of $48,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.95% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 13.00% above the Illinois state average of $43,058.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.39/hr = $29,187/year (purchasing power: $28,174).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,645/year (purchasing power: $46,957).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Chicago (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.65/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Chicago grew 17.5% from $19.09/hr (2019) to $22.44/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.37/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 Chicago 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 Chicago
Looking at the earning potential for part-time sterile processing technicians in Chicago, those working 24 hours a week would generate approximately $23,000 in annual income, considerably less than full-time counterparts but still substantial for flexible positions. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in the Chicago area can vary widely, with technicians typically billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Notably, those with the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) credential may command $28 to $40 per hour in agency placements, with travel contracts advertising weekly pay of $1,000 to $1,500—especially appealing in markets facing shortages. The hourly rates differ based on employer type, with larger hospital SPDs often integrating health benefits into lower rates, while specialty surgical centers and third-party processors might offer higher pay for a lack of benefits. It's advisable for technicians to consider negotiation strategies that reflect their skill set, such as credential stacking with CRCST and CER designations, which have gained importance since the post-2021 shift towards credentialing in hiring practices.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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 Chicago. 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, 7-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