Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in St. Paul, MN: $25.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in St. Paul, MN runs $25.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,910 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against St. Paul's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,749 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Paul, Minnesota, the projected median hourly rate for a sterile processing technician is $25.44, which represents a significant increase compared to the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This competitive pay means that those working part-time, such as on a three-day workweek basis, can earn a decent income while balancing other responsibilities. In various clinical settings, including hospital sterile processing departments and ambulatory surgery centers, hourly rates for these technicians can range from $19.06 for entry-level positions to as high as $39.43 for experienced professionals. Importantly, these figures are derived from annual salary estimates, indicating that skilled workers in the St. Paul area are well compensated for their contributions to healthcare.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.06 | $152.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.04 | $168.34 |
| Median (P50) | $25.44 | $203.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.23 | $249.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.43 | $315.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Paul
Based on $25.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.44/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Paul, MN can expect to earn approximately $52,915 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,528. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Paul.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Paul
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,017.60 | $4,410 | $52,915 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $610.56 | $2,646 | $31,749 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.04 | $1,764 | $21,166 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (St. Paul) | $25.44 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN earn a median of $52,910 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.87% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 17.20% above the Minnesota state average of $45,145.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.44/hr = $31,749/year (purchasing power: $32,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,915/year (purchasing power: $53,721).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.16/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in St. Paul (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.16/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Paul grew 27.4% from $19.16/hr (2019) to $24.41/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.51/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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul
Earnings for part-time sterile processing technicians can therefore vary significantly based on their hours worked and employer type. For instance, a technician working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $31,507 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts in the same field who enjoy greater financial stability. Additionally, in the per diem or agency contracting world, technicians often find themselves billing between $22 and $32 per hour, while those holding specialized credentials for endoscope reprocessing can command rates from $28 to $40. Although some may initially choose positions in hospital SPDs for benefits despite potentially lower pay compared to agency work, overall earning potential remains a key consideration. Negotiation is essential in this field; having credentials, such as CRCST or CIS, increases bargaining power, enabling technicians in St. Paul to seek compensation that reflects their skills and the evolving demands of the sterile processing profession.
More salary data for St. Paul, MN:
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 St. Paul. 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 St. Paul 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