Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $22.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Billings, MT runs $22.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,963 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,587 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to reach $22.11 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $22.94. This hourly rate positions sterile processing technicians well within the healthcare field, especially for part-time and per-diem workers who often find opportunities in hospital SPD decontamination and assembly areas, as well as endoscope reprocessing rooms. With an hourly range from $17.28 for entry-level positions to $27.31 for top-tier earners, professionals in this field have the potential to earn a comfortable wage regardless of their employment status. As the demand for sterilization and infection control grows, particularly post-pandemic, this stable hourly pay reflects the value placed on technicians in Billings, according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.28 | $138.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.88 | $151.08 |
| Median (P50) | $22.11 | $176.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.64 | $189.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.31 | $218.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $22.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.11/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $45,979 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,526. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $884.20 | $3,832 | $45,979 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $530.52 | $2,299 | $27,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $353.68 | $1,533 | $18,391 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Billings) | $22.11 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $45,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.69% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.30% above the Montana state average of $44,068.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.11/hr = $27,587/year (purchasing power: $29,497).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,979/year (purchasing power: $49,161).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Billings grew 27.4% from $16.65/hr (2019) to $21.21/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.04/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 Billings 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 Billings
Examining part-time earning potential, a sterile processing technician working three days a week (about 24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $27,624 annually, which is significantly lower than a full-time worker making $45,963. For those considering per diem contracts, pay rates vary widely; technicians can bill $22 to $32 per hour, while certified endoscope reprocessors are increasingly able to demand $28 to $40 per hour in a tight labor market. Post-2020, travel SPD contracts have emerged, often reaching $1,000 to $1,500 per week, creating lucrative opportunities that contrast with typical hospital salaries. Hourly rates also fluctuate depending on the type of employer—hospitals tend to offer more stable benefits, while ambulatory surgery centers and specialty dental practices may provide higher hourly wages at the trade-off of job security. This complex equation makes it essential for technicians to evaluate their work environment based on both pay and benefits when negotiating their positions within Billings.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Billings in 2026?
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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 Billings. 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, 6-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