Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Conway, SC: $18.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Conway, SC runs $18.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,283 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Conway's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,568 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Conway, South Carolina, the median hourly pay for sterile processing technicians is projected at $18.88 in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $22.94, reflecting various local economic factors. For those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgical centers, or other clinical settings, this hourly rate translates to a distinct earning potential. Technicians who work part-time, say three days a week, may find themselves earning around $1,200 weekly, depending on hours worked. The hourly range for this profession in Conway extends from $15.62 for entry-level positions to approximately $25.80 for more seasoned technicians, illustrating the varied pathways for career advancement within the field.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from South 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) | $15.62 | $124.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.31 | $130.48 |
| Median (P50) | $18.88 | $151.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.48 | $179.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.80 | $206.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Conway
Based on $18.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.88/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Conway, SC can expect to earn approximately $39,280 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,662. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Conway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Conway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $755.39 | $3,273 | $39,280 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $453.23 | $1,964 | $23,568 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $302.15 | $1,309 | $15,712 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Conway) | $18.88 |
| 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 Conway, SC earn a median of $39,283 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.69% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 12.80% below the South Carolina state average of $45,049.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.88/hr = $23,568/year (purchasing power: $25,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,280/year (purchasing power: $42,929).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.12/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.88/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.12/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Conway grew 27.4% from $14.22/hr (2019) to $18.12/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.68/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 Conway 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 Conway
Evaluating the financial landscape of sterile processing technicians in Conway reveals interesting opportunities, especially for part-time workers. A technician working three days a week (24 hours) could take home roughly $46,634 annually, which is a solid income, albeit lower than a full-time technician might earn. In the realm of per-diem or agency work, technicians often find themselves in a lucrative bracket; for instance, hourly rates can range from $22 to $32, with CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors seeing rates climb to between $28 and $40. The rise of travel contracts post-2020, offering $1,000 to $1,500 weekly, has created additional options for those in high-demand areas. When considering different employers such as hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and dental practices, pay rates may vary significantly, leading some technicians to weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages with comprehensive health insurance against higher rates with fewer benefits. Those negotiating hourly pay in Conway can bolster their leverage by emphasizing specialized credentials like CRCST, CIS, or CER, articulating their skills in an evolving market that increasingly favors credentialed professionals.
More salary data for Conway, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Conway in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Conway?
Are sterile processing technicians in Conway paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Conway?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Conway?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Carolina
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 Conway. 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 Conway 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