Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Rocky Mount, NC: $20.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Rocky Mount, NC runs $20.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,647 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Rocky Mount's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,584 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the sterile processing technician hourly rate stands at $20.50 for 2026, which unfortunately lags behind the national median of $22.94. This figure is significant for part-time professionals who might typically work three days a week, translating to approximately $1,560 monthly or around $18,720 yearly. In the rapidly evolving realm of sterile processing, technicians often find themselves in high-demand environments such as hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing hubs. Entry-level positions can earn as little as $15.92 per hour, while more experienced specialists may command rates up to $30.59, illustrating the wages available for both novice and seasoned technicians in this field.
About the Rocky Mount Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.92 | $127.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.15 | $137.24 |
| Median (P50) | $20.50 | $164.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.58 | $204.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.59 | $244.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rocky Mount
Based on $20.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.50/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rocky Mount, NC can expect to earn approximately $42,640 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,600. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rocky Mount.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rocky Mount
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $820.00 | $3,553 | $42,640 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $492.00 | $2,132 | $25,584 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $328.00 | $1,421 | $17,056 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Rocky Mount) | $20.50 |
| 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 Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $42,647 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.64% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $43,921.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.50/hr = $25,584/year (purchasing power: $27,333).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,640/year (purchasing power: $45,556).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Rocky Mount grew 27.4% from $15.44/hr (2019) to $19.67/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.37/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 Rocky Mount 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 Rocky Mount
When examining the earnings potential for part-time sterile processing technicians, working 24 hours a week yields a stark difference from the full-time income. This part-time role might result in a take-home of about $18,720 annually, compared to full-time earnings that can reach as high as $42,647. The dynamic landscape of per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Rocky Mount further diversifies options, with professionals billing $22 to $32 per hour, especially those certified in endoscope reprocessing who can sometimes earn between $28 and $40. Hospital SPDs and surgical centers may vary hourly rates influenced by benefits packages offered, creating a trade-off for technicians weighing job security against higher pay without health insurance. For those seeking to negotiate their hourly pay, highlighting credentials such as CRCST and CER can strengthen their value proposition, especially within local healthcare facilities in NC, where the need for qualified technicians continues to grow alongside stringent regulatory requirements.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Rocky Mount. 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 Rocky Mount 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