Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $19.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $19.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,091 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,648 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $19.75 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $22.94. This difference illustrates a common trend where local rates may not keep pace with larger metropolitan areas, which can influence decisions for part-time or per-diem workers. For those working three days a week, the hourly rate translates into a solid income for positions typically found in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, or even specialized dental practices. The salary range for the profession in Cedar Rapids spans from $17.61 for entry-level positions to $24.00 for experienced technicians, indicating opportunities for career advancement and specialized roles within the field. Official BLS data thus establishes a clear framework for understanding the financial expectations for those considering a career in this essential healthcare role.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.61 | $140.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.61 | $140.91 |
| Median (P50) | $19.75 | $158.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.03 | $184.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.00 | $192.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $19.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.75/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA can expect to earn approximately $41,079 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,700. With a cost-of-living index of 88.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $789.99 | $3,423 | $41,079 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $473.99 | $2,054 | $24,648 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $316.00 | $1,369 | $16,432 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Cedar Rapids) | $19.75 |
| 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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $41,091 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.90% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.40% above the Iowa state average of $40,523.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.75/hr = $24,648/year (purchasing power: $27,705).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,079/year (purchasing power: $46,176).
CoL index: 88.963 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Cedar Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.18/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Cedar Rapids grew 27.4% from $14.87/hr (2019) to $18.95/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.58/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar Rapids
When evaluating part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician working a 24-hour week would take home nearly $30,000 annually, a significant difference from a full-time income. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Cedar Rapids often allows for a wider range, with professionals usually billing between $22 and $32 per hour, which can be particularly appealing for those seeking flexibility. For those with the CER credential, wages can increase substantially, reaching $28 to $40 per hour in agency placements, and travel contracts often provide even higher compensation. Hourly rates can vary based on employer types, with hospital departments, outpatient surgical centers, and third-party services all offering different pay structures. Additionally, many technicians must weigh the trade-offs of lower hourly rates at institutions that provide comprehensive benefits against higher wages that often come without insurance. Aspiring technicians should cultivate negotiation skills, particularly in Cedar Rapids, to maximize their hourly earnings while considering the broader implications of benefits in their compensation package.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Cedar Rapids. 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, 3-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