Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Jersey City, NJ: $28.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Jersey City, NJ runs $28.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,911 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Jersey City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,950 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The hourly rate for a sterile processing technician in Jersey City is projected to be $28.81 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $22.94 by a significant margin. This difference not only reflects the demand for skilled technicians in the region but also positions Jersey City as an attractive locale for those entering the profession. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this rate translates into a stable income when accounting for typical work hours in various settings, including hospital SPD decontamination areas, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. Entry-level technicians might earn around $20.58 per hour, while highly experienced professionals can command rates up to $43.17. These figures highlight a competitive market in Jersey City, where the salary range accommodates both novice and seasoned practitioners.
About the Jersey City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.58 | $164.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.05 | $184.43 |
| Median (P50) | $28.81 | $230.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.68 | $285.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.17 | $345.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jersey City
Based on $28.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.81/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jersey City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $59,917 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,568. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Jersey City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jersey City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,152.26 | $4,993 | $59,917 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $691.35 | $2,996 | $35,950 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.90 | $1,997 | $23,967 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Jersey City) | $28.81 |
| 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 Jersey City, NJ earn a median of $59,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.54% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 13.50% above the New Jersey state average of $52,785.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.81/hr = $35,950/year (purchasing power: $31,207).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,917/year (purchasing power: $52,012).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Jersey City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Jersey City grew 27.4% from $21.69/hr (2019) to $27.64/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.02/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 Jersey City 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 Jersey City
Examining the financial landscape for part-time sterile processing technicians reveals potential earning disparities. A professional working part-time for 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $36,725 annually, which, while substantial, contrasts with the earnings of full-time employees. For those considering per diem or agency roles, the landscape varies further; per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Jersey City typically ranges from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles like CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors earning between $28 and $40 hourly. Employers across various sectors in Jersey City, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and third-party service providers, often implement differing pay rates, which can influence job decisions. Some technicians opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, while others prefer the flexibility and higher compensation of contract jobs. For those in this field, negotiating salary can be a nuanced process; understanding local pay trends and being aware of the demand for credentialed workers, especially with the rise in state registration requirements, can provide a substantial advantage.
More salary data for Jersey City, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Jersey City 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 Jersey City. 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 Jersey City 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