Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $21.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Great Falls, MT runs $21.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,957 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,377 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Great Falls, Montana, the estimated sterile processing technician hourly rate for 2026 is projected at $21.14. This figure is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.94, reflecting local economic conditions and the cost of living in the area, which is indexed at 96.2, below the national average. For part-time workers, such as those who schedule three days a week, this rate translates to a take-home pay of approximately $20,000 annually if they work around 24 hours a week. Entry-level technicians earn about $15.53 per hour, gradually increasing to around $31.87 per hour for top earners in the field. Hourly rates reflect the critical roles these professionals play in various settings, including hospital SPD decontamination areas and endoscope reprocessing rooms, highlighting the demand for their expertise within the healthcare sector.
About the Great Falls Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.53 | $124.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.08 | $136.65 |
| Median (P50) | $21.14 | $169.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.57 | $212.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.87 | $254.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $21.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.14/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $43,962 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,363. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $845.43 | $3,664 | $43,962 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $507.26 | $2,198 | $26,377 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $338.17 | $1,465 | $17,585 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Great Falls) | $21.14 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $43,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.89% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% below the Montana state average of $44,089.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.14/hr = $26,377/year (purchasing power: $27,419).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,962/year (purchasing power: $45,699).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.03/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Great Falls grew 33.4% from $15.20/hr (2019) to $20.28/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.03/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
The earning potential for part-time sterile processing technicians in Great Falls can yield significant differences compared to full-time employment. For example, a technician working only three days per week might find themselves earning close to $22,500 annually, a figure which starkly contrasts the income of full-time technicians. Furthermore, per diem sterile processing technician pay in Great Falls often varies widely, with some positions billing between $22 and $32 per hour, while those with CER credentials in agency roles can command rates between $28 and $40 per hour. The differences in hourly rates across various employer types—hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty dental practices—also contribute to shaping wage expectations in the market. Many technicians may opt for lower-paying positions that offer benefits like health insurance, while others seek higher hourly wages at the expense of job security. Negotiating for better rates can be complex, particularly in a city like Great Falls, where knowing the local market can lead to better outcomes for professionals in this field.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Great Falls 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 Great Falls. 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 Great Falls 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