Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Park Ridge, IL: $19.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Park Ridge, IL runs $19.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Park Ridge's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,843 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Park Ridge, Illinois, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $19.91 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This difference can affect how part-time and per-diem workers plan their schedules. For instance, a technician working three days a week could earn roughly $1,229 per month, which may not meet all financial needs, especially when factors like student loans and living expenses come into play. The hourly range for this position spans from $16.28 at the entry level to $28.49 for top earners. In typical settings such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms, these figures illustrate both the entry barriers and the earning potential within the profession.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.28 | $130.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.17 | $137.32 |
| Median (P50) | $19.91 | $159.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.52 | $188.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.49 | $227.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Park Ridge
Based on $19.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.91/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Park Ridge, IL can expect to earn approximately $41,405 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,887. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Park Ridge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Park Ridge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $796.24 | $3,450 | $41,405 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $477.74 | $2,070 | $24,843 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $318.50 | $1,380 | $16,562 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Park Ridge) | $19.91 |
| 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 Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $41,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.23% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.90% below the Illinois state average of $43,089.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.91/hr = $24,843/year (purchasing power: $25,585).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,405/year (purchasing power: $42,641).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.99/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.99/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Park Ridge grew 27.4% from $14.99/hr (2019) to $19.10/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.75/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 Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge
When examining the overall earning potential for part-time sterile processing technicians, those working a 24-hour workweek might find their annual income significantly impacted compared to full-time colleagues. Per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Park Ridge tends to fluctuate, with rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, and higher rates of $28 to $40 for CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors in agency settings. Specialized roles or travel contracts have emerged, enabling technicians to secure weekly earnings of $1,000 to $1,500, particularly in shortage markets post-2020. It's noteworthy that pay rates can vary greatly based on employer type, with hospital sterile processing departments potentially offering less compared to private surgical centers. Some technicians accept lower hourly rates in exchange for employee benefits like health insurance, while others may prefer the flexibility of higher hourly wages without those perks. Negotiating skillfully can help prospective workers in Park Ridge maximize their pay, ensuring they consider all factors before accepting a position.
More salary data for Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge. 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 Park Ridge 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