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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.21/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.31/hr | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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 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.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Florence?
Are sterile processing technicians in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Florence?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
Related Pages
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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 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).
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