Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Salem, VA: $22.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Salem, VA runs $22.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,843 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Salem's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,509 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salem, Virginia, the median hourly pay for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $22.04 in 2026, which is slightly below the national average of $22.94. This rate can significantly impact part-time and per-diem workers, especially those who may choose to work three days a week in hospital settings, including SPD decontamination and assembly rooms or in ambulatory surgical centers. With an hourly wage ranging from $16.48 to $30.49, new technicians may start at the lower end of this spectrum, while seasoned professionals can earn toward the higher end. The variety of environments, such as operating room case cart staging areas or endoscope reprocessing rooms, also plays a role in pay, reflecting the responsibilities and complexities associated with sterile processing management.
About the Salem 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) | $16.48 | $131.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.23 | $153.83 |
| Median (P50) | $22.04 | $176.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.27 | $210.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.49 | $243.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salem
Based on $22.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.04/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salem, VA can expect to earn approximately $45,848 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,451. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salem.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salem
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $881.70 | $3,821 | $45,848 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.02 | $2,292 | $27,509 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.68 | $1,528 | $18,339 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Salem) | $22.04 |
| 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 Salem, VA earn a median of $45,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.94% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.00% below the Virginia state average of $47,261.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.04/hr = $27,509/year (purchasing power: $26,656).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,848/year (purchasing power: $44,427).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Salem grew 27.4% from $16.60/hr (2019) to $21.15/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.97/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 Salem 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 Salem
Part-time sterile processing technicians working 24 hours a week can expect to earn around $27,033 annually, which stands in contrast to full-time employees whose earnings can substantially exceed this figure. Per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Salem typically ranges from $22 to $32 per hour, and professionals with specialized credentials such as the certified endoscope reprocessor (CER) can command rates as high as $28-$40 when working through agency placements. The differences in pay can also depend on the employer type; hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and dental practices offer varied compensation. While some technicians may opt for positions with lower hourly rates for benefits like health insurance, others might seek higher pay without those benefits. Negotiating pay in Salem often requires demonstrating a blend of certifications, especially as employers increasingly prefer candidates with recognized credentials from organizations like HSPA.
More salary data for Salem, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Salem 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 Salem. 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 Salem 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