Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Charleston, SC: $22.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Charleston, SC runs $22.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,914 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.0, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,146 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, South Carolina, the median hourly pay for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $22.55 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $22.94. This hourly rate allows for various work arrangements, making it viable for part-time and per-diem roles within hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and other medical facilities. For those working three days a week, this translates to a weekly income of approximately $678, which can be beneficial for maintaining work-life balance while pursuing credentials from HSPA, such as the CRCST, CIS, and CER. With a pay range from $16.73 for entry-level positions to $27.86 for experienced technicians, Charleston reflects a competitive pay structure for this profession, according to projections from 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.73 | $133.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.93 | $167.42 |
| Median (P50) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.22 | $193.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.86 | $222.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $22.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.55/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, SC can expect to earn approximately $46,911 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,064. With a cost-of-living index of 100.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $902.13 | $3,909 | $46,911 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $541.28 | $2,346 | $28,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.85 | $1,564 | $18,764 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Charleston) | $22.55 |
| 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 Charleston, SC earn a median of $46,914 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.20% above the South Carolina state average of $45,023.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.55/hr = $28,146/year (purchasing power: $27,878).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,911/year (purchasing power: $46,464).
CoL index: 100.962 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Charleston grew 25.1% from $17.30/hr (2019) to $21.64/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.50/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
Considering a part-time schedule, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week could expect to take home around $28,182 annually. Per diem roles offer an even more diverse earning potential, as technicians commonly bill between $22 and $32 per hour, while those holding specialized CER credentials for endoscope reprocessing can command rates of $28 to $40 per hour in agency placements. The demand for travel contracts in Charleston has grown, with technicians earning $1,000 to $1,500 per week in some markets. Hourly rates frequently vary based on the employer type: for instance, hospital SPDs may offer different compensation compared to specialty surgical centers or dental practices. Many technicians face trade-offs, accepting positions with lower hourly pay for the benefits package that includes health insurance, while others opt for higher-paying jobs that may not offer these advantages. Negotiating effectively can enhance a technician’s total compensation, making awareness of pay benchmarks in Charleston essential for optimal decision-making.
More salary data for Charleston, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Charleston?
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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 Charleston. 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