Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Elizabethtown, KY: $19.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Elizabethtown, KY runs $19.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,982 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Elizabethtown's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,984 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elizabethtown, Kentucky, the forecasted sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at $19.22, positioning it below the national hourly median of $22.94. This discrepancy may influence part-time and per-diem technicians working in various clinical environments, such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. With hourly wages estimated to range from a low of $14.62 for entry-level positions to $28.08 for top earners, individuals may find flexible employment opportunities, especially in settings that offer a blend of part-time roles and assessment for per-diem work. This hourly rate reflects the industry's growth and potential, especially in response to increasing credential requirements for sterile processing roles since 2021.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.62 | $116.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.78 | $126.23 |
| Median (P50) | $19.22 | $153.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.68 | $181.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.08 | $224.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elizabethtown
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 Elizabethtown, KY 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 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elizabethtown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elizabethtown
| 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 (Elizabethtown) | $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 Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $39,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $40,923.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.22/hr = $23,984/year (purchasing power: $26,858).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,974/year (purchasing power: $44,763).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.47/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.78/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.78/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 Elizabethtown grew 27.4% from $14.47/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 Elizabethtown 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 Elizabethtown
Earning potential as a part-time sterile processing technician in Elizabethtown translates into approximately $24,141 annually if working three days a week at 24 hours. In comparison to full-time salaries, this figure illustrates a viable income for those balancing additional commitments. Per-diem opportunities present another lucrative avenue, with many technicians billing between $22 and $32 per hour. Those with additional certifications, such as a CER for endoscope reprocessing, can command rates as high as $40 per hour, particularly in agency placements or travel contracts that have emerged since 2020. The differences in hourly rates can often be attributed to the type of employer, with hospitals typically offering lower wages compared to specialty surgical centers or third-party sterile processing services. As a result, some technicians may opt for lower hourly wages that include health insurance benefits rather than pursuing higher pay without them. When negotiating salaries, it's essential for technicians to factor in both compensation and benefits to determine what best meets their needs in the evolving landscape of sterile processing in Elizabethtown.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Elizabethtown in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Elizabethtown?
Are sterile processing technicians in Elizabethtown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Elizabethtown?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Elizabethtown?
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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 Elizabethtown. 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 Elizabethtown 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