Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $18.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Metairie, LA runs $18.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,479 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,087 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Metairie, LA, can expect a median hourly pay of $18.50 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $22.94. This wage reflects the compensation offered for various roles in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized dental practices. For part-time workers on a typical schedule of three days a week, this hourly rate translates to about $888 a week, which can be appealing for those seeking flexible work hours in environments like decontamination and assembly rooms, instrument processing areas, and endoscope reprocessing units. The hourly pay ranges from $13.27 for entry-level positions to $28.26 for experienced top earners, illustrating the potential for career advancement and specialization within the field.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.27 | $106.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.83 | $126.65 |
| Median (P50) | $18.50 | $147.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.71 | $181.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.26 | $226.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $18.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.50/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $38,478 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,199. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $739.96 | $3,207 | $38,478 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $443.98 | $1,924 | $23,087 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $295.98 | $1,283 | $15,391 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Metairie) | $18.50 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $38,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.37% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.90% above the Louisiana state average of $36,682.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.50/hr = $23,087/year (purchasing power: $25,567).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,478/year (purchasing power: $42,611).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.93/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Metairie grew 27.4% from $13.93/hr (2019) to $17.75/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.28/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
The earnings for part-time sterile processing technicians significantly differ from their full-time counterparts. Working just 24 hours a week, a technician could take home approximately $46,176 annually, a stark contrast to full-time salaries. For those in the per diem sphere, pay rates are usually more lucrative, often ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles such as certified endoscope reprocessors commanding even higher rates. Variability in pay is also evident across employer types in Metairie. Hospitals may offer lower hourly wages but provide comprehensive health benefits, while agency placements might pay higher, attracting technicians willing to trade benefits for increased hourly income. When considering employment, those in the field can benefit from negotiating based on specific job responsibilities and local demand, allowing them to optimize their hourly pay while determining the right balance between compensation and benefits.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Metairie?
Are sterile processing technicians in Metairie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Metairie?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Metairie?
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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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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