Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Baltimore, MD: $23.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Baltimore, MD runs $23.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,535 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Baltimore's regional price level (BEA RPP 104.5, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.33 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,122 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Baltimore, the compensation for a sterile processing technician reflects a median hourly pay of $23.33, which exceeds the national median of $22.94. This hourly rate is significant for those contemplating part-time or per-diem work arrangements. For instance, a technician working three days a week could expect to earn about $1,120 each month, providing a viable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly earnings range from $16.01 for entry-level positions to as much as $29.39 for the top earners, demonstrating a robust opportunity for advancement. This data is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and serves as a useful reference for professionals considering a career in sterile processing in Baltimore's healthcare facilities.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.01 | $128.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.16 | $153.25 |
| Median (P50) | $23.33 | $186.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.44 | $219.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.39 | $235.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Baltimore
Based on $23.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.33/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Baltimore, MD can expect to earn approximately $48,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,002. With a cost-of-living index of 104.49 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Baltimore.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Baltimore
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $933.39 | $4,045 | $48,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.04 | $2,427 | $29,122 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.36 | $1,618 | $19,415 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Baltimore) | $23.33 |
| 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 Baltimore, MD earn a median of $48,535 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 3.10% below the Maryland state average of $50,088.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.33/hr = $29,122/year (purchasing power: $27,871).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,537/year (purchasing power: $46,452).
CoL index: 104.487 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Baltimore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Baltimore grew 13.5% from $19.72/hr (2019) to $22.39/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.32/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 Baltimore 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 Baltimore
Exploring part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician who works a typical three-day week may take home around $13,440 annually, a figure that contrasts sharply with the earnings of full-time colleagues. Per-diem arrangements are another route many technicians explore; they often bill between $22 and $32 per hour, while those holding a CER credential for endoscope reprocessing can command even higher rates, around $28 to $40 per hour in agency roles. The market for travel SPD contracts has also emerged, offering a lucrative path in areas with staffing shortages, with weekly earnings reaching $1,000 to $1,500. Hourly pay can vary significantly across employer types in Baltimore, with hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialty practices often providing different pay scales and benefits. Some technicians may choose slightly lower pay for the security of health insurance, a trade-off that highlights the complexities of compensation negotiation. Understanding these dynamics is key to successfully advocating for fair wages in Baltimore’s evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Baltimore, MD:
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 Baltimore. 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, 7-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