Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $19.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Traverse City, MI runs $19.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,860 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,919 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Traverse City, Michigan, the sterile processing technician hourly pay stands at a median of $19.17, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $22.94. This disparity can have implications for part-time workers, particularly those seeking positions in various settings such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms or ambulatory surgery centers. For technicians working three days a week in these environments, the pay reflects the entry-level range starting at $17.51 and extending up to $25.29 for top earners. These numbers, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlight the financial landscape that local sterile processing technicians navigate, especially as the job's requirements increasingly call for credentialed professionals amidst evolving industry standards.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.51 | $140.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.63 | $149.08 |
| Median (P50) | $19.17 | $153.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.83 | $174.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.29 | $202.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
Based on $19.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.17/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Traverse City, MI can expect to earn approximately $39,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,999. With a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $766.64 | $3,322 | $39,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $459.99 | $1,993 | $23,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $306.66 | $1,329 | $15,946 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Traverse City) | $19.17 |
| 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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $39,860 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.48% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 12.90% below the Michigan state average of $45,763.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.17/hr = $23,919/year (purchasing power: $25,617).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,865/year (purchasing power: $42,695).
CoL index: 93.372 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Traverse City grew 27.4% from $14.43/hr (2019) to $18.39/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.97/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 Traverse City 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 Traverse City
Part-time sterile processing technicians working 24 hours a week in Traverse City may see their annual earnings as more manageable compared to full-time colleagues, despite the lower take-home pay associated with fewer hours. As the demand for skilled workers grows, especially in specialized roles like endoscope reprocessing, per diem workers could experience even more lucrative options, with prevalent rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour. Notably, agency placements for certified technicians can fetch between $28 and $40 per hour, which is advantageous for those willing to adapt to travel roles or temporary assignments. Technicians may find that hospitals, surgical centers, and third-party service providers offer varying hourly rates influenced by the need for specific credentials and benefits packages. The decision between high hourly pay without benefits or lower compensation with health insurance is a common dilemma within the workforce, compelling professionals to prioritize their individual circumstances while negotiating their pay within Traverse City's evolving market for sterile processing technicians.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
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 Traverse City. 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, 2-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