Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Rockford, IL: $21.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Rockford, IL runs $21.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Rockford's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.2, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,729 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rockford, Illinois, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected at $21.42 for 2026, slightly below the national median of $22.94. This figure illustrates the earning potential for those working in various settings, including hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices. With an hourly range between $18.05 and $27.63, new technicians typically start closer to the entry-level figures, while seasoned professionals reach the higher end of the scale. For part-time or per-diem workers, often scheduled for three days a week in roles like decontamination or case cart staging, the implications of this hourly rate are significant. It enables these technicians to balance work between multiple facilities or secure per-diem roles effectively, aligning with the growing demand for skilled personnel in this field, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.05 | $144.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.41 | $147.24 |
| Median (P50) | $21.42 | $171.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.15 | $177.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.63 | $221.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rockford
Based on $21.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.42/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rockford, IL can expect to earn approximately $44,548 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,701. With a cost-of-living index of 92.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rockford.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rockford
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $856.69 | $3,712 | $44,548 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $514.01 | $2,227 | $26,729 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $342.68 | $1,485 | $17,819 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Rockford) | $21.42 |
| 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 Rockford, IL earn a median of $44,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.63% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.50% above the Illinois state average of $43,055.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.42/hr = $26,729/year (purchasing power: $29,004).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,548/year (purchasing power: $48,341).
CoL index: 92.154 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rockford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Rockford grew 21.4% from $16.93/hr (2019) to $20.55/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.32/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 Rockford 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 Rockford
Focusing on the part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week in Rockford can bring home around $26,677 annually, well below the full-time average. For those pursuing per-diem roles, the reality diverges with rates typically billed between $22 and $32 per hour. Moreover, credentialed endoscope reprocessors in agencies may earn up to $40 per hour, highlighting the lucrative opportunities within specialized positions. The diversity of employers—from hospitals to third-party sterilization services—also influences hourly pay rates, as some offer benefits that might appeal to technicians who prefer stability over higher pay. Practical negotiation strategies in Rockford could lever the cost of living index at 92.154, allowing workers to advocate for more competitive rates while considering their overall benefits package. This shifts the conversation around compensation, reflecting the importance of credentials in this evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Rockford, 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 Rockford. 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