Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Hastings, NE: $19.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Hastings, NE runs $19.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,899 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Hastings's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,544 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, Nebraska, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $19.67 in 2026, which falls below the national median hourly rate of $22.94. For technicians working part-time, such as those on a three-day-a-week schedule, translating this median hourly pay into a weekly income could provide around $316. Overall, the hourly rates for this profession range from $14.92 for entry-level positions (10th percentile) to $27.49 for top earners (90th percentile) in the area. Sterile processing technicians typically find employment in various settings, including hospital decontamination and assembly rooms, outpatient surgery centers, and central sterilization departments. With this projected compensation, professionals can make informed decisions about accepting per-diem roles or part-time work, especially considering the importance of certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER, which are increasingly becoming standard in the industry.
About the Hastings 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) | $14.92 | $119.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.10 | $128.82 |
| Median (P50) | $19.67 | $157.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.57 | $188.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.49 | $219.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hastings
Based on $19.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.67/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hastings, NE can expect to earn approximately $40,906 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,600. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hastings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hastings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $786.65 | $3,409 | $40,906 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.99 | $2,045 | $24,544 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.66 | $1,364 | $16,362 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Hastings) | $19.67 |
| 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 Hastings, NE earn a median of $40,899 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $41,905.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.67/hr = $24,544/year (purchasing power: $26,824).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,906/year (purchasing power: $44,706).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Hastings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Hastings grew 27.4% from $14.81/hr (2019) to $18.87/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.50/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 Hastings 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 Hastings
Considering the nuances of hourly compensation, part-time sterile processing technicians in Hastings can take home about $24,518 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, who earn approximately $41,919 based on full-time scenarios. For those looking into per-diem positions, the pay can range from $22 to $32 per hour, with positions requiring the CER credential potentially commanding $28 to $40 per hour. Additionally, traveling SPD contracts, which became more common after 2020, offer lucrative weekly pay rates from $1,000 to $1,500, attracting many who seek flexible schedules. The variance in hourly rates may also reflect the type of employer—hospital-based roles often provide benefits, while independent surgical centers and third-party providers might offer higher hourly pay without additional perks. For those negotiating their salaries in Hastings, considering the balance between hourly pay and offered benefits can be crucial in making career choices within this evolving field of sterile processing.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Hastings in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Hastings?
Are sterile processing technicians in Hastings paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Hastings?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Hastings?
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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 Hastings. 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 Hastings 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