Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $21.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Portsmouth, VA runs $21.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,750 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $21.99, sterile processing technician hourly pay in Portsmouth, Virginia, slightly lags behind the national hourly median of $22.94. This wage reflects the increasing demand for certified technicians in hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgical centers, and specialty surgical practices. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this pay translates to a respectable income while allowing flexibility. Per diem workers in this field can expect to see variation in their hourly compensation depending on their skillset and specialty; the range spans from $16.94 at the entry level to $31.78 for top earners, underscoring both the growth potential in this profession and the broader context of employment options available in Portsmouth's healthcare facilities. The hourly estimates are derived from the projected annual salaries for 2026, indicating a steady path for those entering the sterile processing workforce.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.94 | $135.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.31 | $146.49 |
| Median (P50) | $21.99 | $175.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.87 | $214.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.78 | $254.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $21.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.99/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $45,740 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,389. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $879.62 | $3,812 | $45,740 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $527.77 | $2,287 | $27,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $351.85 | $1,525 | $18,296 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Portsmouth) | $21.99 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $45,750 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $47,263.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.99/hr = $27,444/year (purchasing power: $26,593).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,740/year (purchasing power: $44,322).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Portsmouth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Portsmouth grew 27.4% from $16.56/hr (2019) to $21.10/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.92/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Part-time sterile processing technicians working just 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $27,385 annually, a figure substantially lower than their full-time counterparts. For those seeking more flexibility, per diem opportunities are becoming increasingly appealing; these technicians typically bill between $22-$32 per hour, while certified endoscope reprocessors can command even higher rates, ranging from $28 to $40 per hour. In addition, post-pandemic dynamics have led to travel contracts offering $1,000 to $1,500 a week, a lucrative option for agile professionals. Hourly rates will vary by employer type in Portsmouth; hospital sterile processing departments might offer lower rates compared to private specialty surgical centers or third-party sterile processing services. However, many technicians choose positions that provide health benefits, which often come with lower hourly pay, reflecting a trade-off between immediate earning potential and long-term job security. For those looking to negotiate their hourly rate effectively in Portsmouth, demonstrating skills such as certification in multiple areas like CRCST or CER can strengthen bargaining power.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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