Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $21.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in St. Joseph, MO runs $21.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,539 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,327 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In St. Joseph, Missouri, the projected median hourly rate for a sterile processing technician in 2026 is $21.90, slightly below the national median of $22.94. This hourly wage provides a solid foundation for both full-time technicians and those seeking part-time opportunities. For instance, a technician working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $21,000 annually based on a 24-hour work week. With a range from entry-level positions earning around $16.35 to seasoned professionals earning up to $31.02 per hour, there is ample opportunity for individuals to enhance their skills and climb the earnings ladder in settings such as hospital SPD decontamination rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, or endoscope reprocessing facilities. The median hourly figures are derived from annual salary data, reflecting the evolving nature of the job market and employment requirements in sterile processing.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.35 | $130.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.85 | $142.82 |
| Median (P50) | $21.90 | $175.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.38 | $211.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.02 | $248.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $21.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.90/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $45,545 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,276. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $875.86 | $3,795 | $45,545 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $525.52 | $2,277 | $27,327 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $350.35 | $1,518 | $18,218 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (St. Joseph) | $21.90 |
| 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. Joseph, MO earn a median of $45,539 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $45,403.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.90/hr = $27,327/year (purchasing power: $30,499).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,545/year (purchasing power: $50,831).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.49/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in St. Joseph (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.49/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Joseph grew 27.4% from $16.49/hr (2019) to $21.01/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.82/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. Joseph 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. Joseph
For those pursuing part-time roles, the financial outlook can be quite favorable. A sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week will take home around $21,931 annually, which can be significantly less than full-time earnings but still offers a viable income option. Per-diem and agency roles provide another layer of flexibility, with pay rates typically ranging from $22 to $32 per hour for standard work, while specialized roles like CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors can command between $28 and $40 per hour. Additionally, some travel contracts now offer weekly pay of $1,000 to $1,500, reflecting the high demand in certain markets. In St. Joseph, hourly rates can also vary based on the type of employer. Hospital sterile processing departments often provide benefits that may drive down hourly pay compared to private practices and third-party services. Therefore, technicians in St. Joseph must consider the balance between hourly wages and the benefit packages offered by potential employers when negotiating their compensation.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in St. Joseph in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in St. Joseph?
Are sterile processing technicians in St. Joseph paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in St. Joseph?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in St. Joseph?
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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. Joseph. 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. Joseph 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