Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $22.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Columbus, OH runs $22.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,843 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,509 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technicians in Columbus, OH, earn a median hourly rate of $22.04, which is slightly below the national median of $22.94. This pay scale reflects the responsibilities involved in settings like hospital SPD decontamination areas, outpatient surgical centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms, making it a critical entry point for many in the healthcare field. For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week could yield a take-home income of approximately $34,228 per year at the median rate, while new technicians typically start on the lower end of the hourly spectrum, earning around $17.86 per hour. The upper echelons ($28.05/hr) are generally reserved for those with specialized credentials such as CRCST and CER, highlighting the importance of advancement through education and training, especially in a transforming field with increasing credential requirements since 2021.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.86 | $142.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.51 | $148.08 |
| Median (P50) | $22.04 | $176.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.65 | $189.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.05 | $224.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $22.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.04/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $45,848 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,451. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $881.70 | $3,821 | $45,848 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.02 | $2,292 | $27,509 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.68 | $1,528 | $18,339 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Columbus) | $22.04 |
| 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 Columbus, OH earn a median of $45,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.94% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% above the Ohio state average of $45,166.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.04/hr = $27,509/year (purchasing power: $28,815).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,848/year (purchasing power: $48,024).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Columbus grew 18.1% from $17.91/hr (2019) to $21.15/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.97/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
In Columbus, part-time sterile processing technicians significantly benefit from tailored schedules that offer both flexibility and earning potential. Earning roughly $34,228 annually while working a part-time schedule is a feasible option; however, many choose the per-diem route, where pay rates can reach as high as $32/hr for general technicians, while CER-credentialed professionals can earn between $28 and $40/hr. Furthermore, there has been a surge in travel contracts post-2020 due to market shortages, with earnings ranging from $1,000 to $1,500 per week. The pay difference across employer types—hospitals, surgery centers, and specialty practices—offers a variety of benefits. Some may prioritize higher wages found in agency placements, while others might accept a lower hourly rate in exchange for healthcare benefits. Negotiating effectively in this environment can also mean considering not just hourly pay but the full compensation package, which varies widely among employers in Columbus.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Columbus 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 Columbus. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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