Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Mount Pleasant, SC: $21.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Mount Pleasant, SC runs $21.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,694 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Mount Pleasant's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,418 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a sterile processing technician in Mount Pleasant, SC, the projected hourly rate for 2026 stands at $21.97, slightly below the national median of $22.94. This rate equips part-time workers, typically engaging for three days a week, to earn a steady income while pursuing their careers. The work settings vary widely, including hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and specialized endoscope reprocessing facilities. Hourly pay ranges from an entry-level earning of $16.82 to experienced professionals making up to $31.64 per hour. Such variability indicates a diverse landscape where the pay reflects both skill level and the specific demands of the work environment. Estimates derived from annual salary data encapsulate a snapshot of what sterile processing technicians in Mount Pleasant can expect in terms of hourly compensation.
About the Mount Pleasant 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) | $16.82 | $134.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.74 | $141.91 |
| Median (P50) | $21.97 | $175.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.78 | $214.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.64 | $253.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Pleasant
Based on $21.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.97/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Pleasant, SC can expect to earn approximately $45,697 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,363. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mount Pleasant.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Pleasant
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $878.78 | $3,808 | $45,697 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.27 | $2,285 | $27,418 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.51 | $1,523 | $18,279 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Mount Pleasant) | $21.97 |
| 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 Mount Pleasant, SC earn a median of $45,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.25% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.50% above the South Carolina state average of $45,019.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.97/hr = $27,418/year (purchasing power: $29,965).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,697/year (purchasing power: $49,942).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Mount Pleasant (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.89/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Mount Pleasant grew 27.4% from $16.55/hr (2019) to $21.08/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.90/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 Mount Pleasant 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 Mount Pleasant
Shifting focus to the earning potential in the field reveals intriguing contrasts, especially for those working part-time versus full-time. For a sterile processing technician who opts for a 3-day work week, their annual take-home could differ significantly from their full-time counterparts, who benefit from more consistent hours. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Mount Pleasant can range from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors able to command even higher rates between $28 and $40, especially when working for agencies. The hourly rates reflect not only the type of employer—ranging from hospitals to third-party service providers—but also the trade-off between pay rates and benefits. Many technicians must choose between a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance versus a higher rate that offers no benefits. For those engaging in negotiations, understanding the local market can prove advantageous; expressing credentials, including any additional certifications like CRCST, CIS, or CER, can open doors for increased sterile processing technician hourly pay in Mount Pleasant’s competitive landscape.
More salary data for Mount Pleasant, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Mount Pleasant in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Mount Pleasant?
Are sterile processing technicians in Mount Pleasant paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Mount Pleasant?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Mount Pleasant?
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 Mount Pleasant. 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 Mount Pleasant 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