Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $24.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Portland, OR runs $24.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,026 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,618 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Portland, Oregon, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to reach $24.53 in 2026, surpassing the national hourly median of $22.94. This competitive rate offers promising opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers, including those seeking per-diem positions in various healthcare settings such as hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), and endoscope reprocessing facilities. The hourly range for sterile processing technicians in the area spans from $17.65 for entry-level roles to $31.94 for top earners, providing pathways for career advancement and higher pay as professionals gain experience and additional certifications, such as those offered by HSPA.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.65 | $141.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.10 | $184.76 |
| Median (P50) | $24.53 | $196.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.86 | $238.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.94 | $255.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $24.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.53/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $51,029 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,440. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.34 | $4,252 | $51,029 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.80 | $2,551 | $30,618 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.53 | $1,701 | $20,412 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Portland) | $24.53 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $51,026 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.92% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 6.60% above the Oregon state average of $47,867.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.53/hr = $30,618/year (purchasing power: $29,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,029/year (purchasing power: $48,405).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$22.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Portland grew 6.0% from $22.20/hr (2019) to $23.54/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.57/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 Portland 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 Portland
For those considering part-time roles, working three days a week as a sterile processing technician can yield approximately $38,450 annually, significantly less than full-time employment but still a viable option for those balancing other commitments. Per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Portland often varies, with rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, while those with specialized certifications, such as the Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER), can command even higher rates of $28 to $40 per hour in agency placements. While hospital sterile processing departments typically offer more stability and benefits, they may pay less compared to the lucrative contracts available through staffing agencies, particularly in shortage markets. Negotiating an hourly rate can be advantageous in Portland's diverse employment landscape, where skilled technicians with multiple credentials may find themselves in demand, allowing for greater flexibility in choosing roles based on both salary and benefits.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Portland?
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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 Portland. 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