Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $20.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Sioux City, IA runs $20.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,452 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,467 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, the sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at a median of $20.41. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $22.94, which suggests some variation in local compensation compared to broader trends. For part-time and per-diem professionals working three days a week in settings such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms, this hourly rate translates to a viable, if modest, income. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $18.45 hourly, while experienced professionals in the highest percentiles can reach approximately $24.17. Such ranges underscore the variability within the profession depending on skill level and specific workplace demands, according to official BLS data projected for 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.45 | $147.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.27 | $154.16 |
| Median (P50) | $20.41 | $163.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.54 | $180.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.17 | $193.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $20.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.41/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $42,445 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,488. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $816.25 | $3,537 | $42,445 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $489.75 | $2,122 | $25,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $326.50 | $1,415 | $16,978 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Sioux City) | $20.41 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $42,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.05% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.80% above the Iowa state average of $40,508.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.41/hr = $25,467/year (purchasing power: $29,457).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,445/year (purchasing power: $49,096).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.27/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Sioux City grew 27.4% from $15.37/hr (2019) to $19.58/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.27/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 Sioux City 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 Sioux City
Considering the earning potential of sterile processing technicians in Sioux City, part-time workers clocking in 24 hours a week would take home around $25,820 annually at the median hourly rate. In contrast, per-diem roles yield varying rates; technicians in agency placements can bill anywhere from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized endoscope reprocessors with CER credentials commanding even higher rates between $28 and $40 per hour. Moreover, those pursuing travel contracts can earn substantial weekly wages ranging from $1,000 to $1,500, becoming particularly appealing in areas facing workforce shortages. Inevitably, hourly pay can fluctuate based on employer type, whether in hospitals, surgical centers, or third-party services. While some technicians may accept lower rates for jobs that offer health insurance, others might choose positions with higher pay but no benefits. In a tight labor market, negotiating for better hourly wages, especially for skilled credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER, is pivotal for job seekers in the competitive sterile processing field in Sioux City, IA.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
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 Sioux City. 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, 4-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