Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $19.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in South Bend, IN runs $19.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,970 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,984 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In South Bend, Indiana, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $19.22 in 2026. This figure is relatively lower than the national hourly median of $22.94, indicating a unique pay landscape for this essential role. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—a technician can expect to earn approximately $368.32 for a typical 24-hour workweek, which translates to about $19,181 annually, a sign of reduced compensation compared to full-time roles. The hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in South Bend ranges from $18.20 for entry-level positions to as high as $29.62 for the most experienced professionals. This official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reflects the earning potential in various settings, including hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.20 | $145.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.56 | $148.49 |
| Median (P50) | $19.22 | $153.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.20 | $185.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.62 | $236.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $19.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.22/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $39,974 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,062. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $768.73 | $3,331 | $39,974 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $461.24 | $1,999 | $23,984 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $307.49 | $1,332 | $15,990 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (South Bend) | $19.22 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $39,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 11.30% below the Indiana state average of $45,063.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.22/hr = $23,984/year (purchasing power: $25,829).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,974/year (purchasing power: $43,048).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+6.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in South Bend grew -1.9% from $18.79/hr (2019) to $18.44/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.03/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
Shifting focus to the part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours weekly might bring home a modest income compared to full-time counterparts, who could earn significantly more through consistent hours. Per diem opportunities are increasingly popular, with pay rates typically ranging from $22 to $32 per hour for basic assignments, while specialized roles such as Certified Endoscope Reprocessors can see rates as high as $28 to $40 in agency placements. The employment landscape in South Bend offers diverse opportunities across environments like large multi-doctor dental practices, specialty surgical centers, and independent sterile processing services. While some technicians might opt for roles with lower hourly pay that include benefits like health insurance, others may prefer higher pay rates that come without such perks. When negotiating pay, candidates should consider articulating the value of their credentials, particularly those with certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, as the industry has increasingly shifted to require these qualifications for employment.
More salary data for South Bend, IN:
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 South Bend. 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