Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $19.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Grand Island, NE runs $19.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,919 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,557 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Grand Island, NE, the sterile processing technician hourly pay reaches a median of $19.68, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $22.94. This pay scale can greatly influence part-time and per-diem workers in settings like hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing areas. For those working part-time, such as professionals on a three-day workweek, the hourly rate translates into an annual income that may support a comfortable lifestyle, albeit with limitations compared to full-time counterparts. The pay range for sterile processing technicians spans from $15.43 at entry-level positions to $28.78 for the most experienced on the job, indicating diverse earning potential within the field.
About the Grand Island Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.43 | $123.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.15 | $129.23 |
| Median (P50) | $19.68 | $157.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.25 | $194.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.78 | $230.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $19.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.68/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $40,928 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,612. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $787.07 | $3,411 | $40,928 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $472.24 | $2,046 | $24,557 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.83 | $1,364 | $16,371 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Grand Island) | $19.68 |
| 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 Grand Island, NE earn a median of $40,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $41,925.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.68/hr = $24,557/year (purchasing power: $26,838).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,928/year (purchasing power: $44,730).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Grand Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Grand Island grew 27.4% from $14.82/hr (2019) to $18.88/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.51/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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Examining part-time opportunities further, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week earns approximately $24,415 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time earnings. The per diem landscape offers a compelling alternative; many per diem sterile processing technician roles allow billing rates of $22 to $32 per hour, and specialists such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors can command between $28 and $40 in agency placements. In Grand Island, variations in hourly rates depend on the type of employer—hospital SPDs typically offer lower wages compared to specialty surgical centers or third-party sterile processing service providers. The decision on where to work often hinges on the balance between a higher hourly pay without benefits and a lower rate that includes health insurance and other perks. For those in the field, effective negotiation strategies for hourly compensation are essential, particularly in a market where credential stacking is becoming increasingly important in securing the best possible rates.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Grand Island in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Grand Island?
Are sterile processing technicians in Grand Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Grand Island?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Grand Island?
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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 Grand Island. 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 Grand Island 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