Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Florence, KY: $19.49 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Florence, KY runs $19.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,541 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,322 per year.

$40,541
Median Annual Salary
$19.49/hr
Hourly Rate
$31,825
Entry Level (P10)
$56,481
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Rate in Florence, KY — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Florence, KY sterile processing technician hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Florence, Kentucky, sterile processing technicians earn a median hourly pay of $19.49, significantly lower than the national median of $22.94 per hour. This rate reflects the local economic climate and is derived from annual salary estimates for 2026. For those working part-time—especially in hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms or per-diem settings—the hourly pay can significantly affect take-home income. Positions may vary from entry-level roles, earning around $15.30, to experienced technicians at the top of the pay range, which reaches up to $27.15. These technicians play critical roles in environments such as ambulatory surgery centers and central instrument delivery routes, making the projected hourly rate a key factor in job decisions for potential candidates.

About the Florence Market

Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$15.30$122.40
Lower Range (P25)$16.34$130.73
Median (P50)$19.49$155.91
Upper Range (P75)$23.30$186.43
Top Earners (P90)$27.15$217.19

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence

Based on $19.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a sterile processing technician in Florence earning $19.49/hr would make approximately $23,387 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $40,537 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$23,387Reduced (32 hr/wk)$31,183Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$40,537

At $19.49/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, KY can expect to earn approximately $40,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,387. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$155.91
per 8hr shift
$779.57
per week
$3,378
per month
$40,537
per year

Schedule Comparison in Florence

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$779.57$3,378$40,537
Part-Time (24 hrs)$467.74$2,027$24,322
Per Diem (16 hrs)$311.83$1,351$16,215

Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Sterile Processing Technician (Florence)$19.49
Surgical Technologist (National Avg)$29.34
Medical Assistant (National Avg)$20.14
Phlebotomist (National Avg)$20.36
Nursing Assistant (National Avg)$18.86
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Florence ($40,541) with Kentucky average ($40,909) and the US national median ($47,724).Florence$40,541Kentucky Avg$40,909-0.90%US National$47,724-15.05%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Florence, KY earn a median of $40,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.05% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $40,909.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $19.49/hr = $24,322/year (purchasing power: $27,237).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,537/year (purchasing power: $45,395).

CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$14.68/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$18.70/hr

2026 Current Est.

$19.49/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Florence (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Florence. Baseline $14.68/hr in 2025, projected to $20.31/hr by 2027.$14$16$17$19$212019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$14.68$15.21$14.98$16.26$17.75$17.02$18.70$19.49$20.31
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$14.68/hrActual
2020$15.21/hrActual
2021$14.98/hrActual
2022$16.26/hrActual
2023$17.75/hrActual
2024$17.02/hrActual
2025$18.70/hrActual
2026(current)$19.49/hrEstimated
2027$20.31/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Florence grew 27.4% from $14.68/hr (2019) to $18.70/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.31/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Florence

Income for part-time sterile processing technicians in Florence who typically work three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can yield a notable annual take-home pay, albeit less than that of full-time employees. These technicians often seek per-diem opportunities, where pay can range from $22 to $32 per hour and is particularly lucrative for those with specialized credentials like Certification in Endoscope Reprocessing (CER), where rates can hit $28 to $40 per hour. Employers across the region—including hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and dental practices—may offer varied hourly rates, often trading off higher wages for employee benefits such as health insurance. This dynamic encourages many technicians to negotiate effectively, focusing on their credentials and the demand for sterile processing skills, especially after the industry's shift toward requiring certification since 2021.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Florence in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Florence is $19.49/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Rates range from $15.30 at entry level (10th percentile) to $27.15 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 15.1% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Florence?

A part-time sterile processing technician working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Florence earns approximately $2,027/month, or $24,322/year at the median hourly rate of $19.49. Many sterile processing technicians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are sterile processing technicians in Florence paid hourly or salary?

The majority of sterile processing technicians in Florence are paid hourly at a median rate of $19.49/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $40,537/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Florence?

A full-time sterile processing technician working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Florence earns approximately $40,537/year at the median hourly rate of $19.49. This is 15.1% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $56,471/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?

Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians in Florence sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $27.15/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Kentucky

AP

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.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

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 Florence. 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 Florence is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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