Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Yakima, WA: $22.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Yakima, WA runs $22.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,043 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Yakima's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,626 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Sterile processing technician hourly pay in Yakima, Washington, is projected at a median rate of $22.14/hr for 2026, slightly below the national median of $22.94/hr. For those working part-time or as per-diem workers, this hourly rate offers a stable income while balancing other commitments, particularly in settings such as hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn approximately $17.86/hr, while more experienced professionals might reach the upper end of the spectrum, earning up to $30.23/hr. This range reflects the diverse roles these technicians play within the sterile processing departments, from decontaminating surgical instruments to managing endoscope reprocessing rooms. The figures presented here are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, representing the monetary aspects of a career in sterile processing in Yakima.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.86 | $142.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.83 | $150.66 |
| Median (P50) | $22.14 | $177.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.11 | $200.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.23 | $241.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yakima
Based on $22.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.14/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yakima, WA can expect to earn approximately $46,044 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,564. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yakima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yakima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $885.45 | $3,837 | $46,044 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $531.27 | $2,302 | $27,626 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $354.18 | $1,535 | $18,417 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Yakima) | $22.14 |
| 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 Yakima, WA earn a median of $46,043 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.52% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $48,062.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.14/hr = $27,626/year (purchasing power: $28,914).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,044/year (purchasing power: $48,190).
CoL index: 95.545 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Yakima (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Yakima grew 27.4% from $16.67/hr (2019) to $21.24/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.07/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 Yakima 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 Yakima
Looking at the earning potential of part-time sterile processing technicians working three days a week, those schedules typically amount to around 24 hours per week. This yields an annual income of approximately $27,617, significantly less than full-time positions. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Yakima can range from $22 to $32/hr, with those holding specialized CER certifications often securing rates from $28 to $40/hr, especially in agency placements. The local landscape varies significantly, as hospitals, specialty surgical centers, and third-party processing service companies may offer different hourly rates, with larger practices often providing better benefits but possibly lower pay. This leads to a trade-off between hourly wages and health insurance options. For technicians interested in negotiating hourly rates, focusing on specific skills, certifications, and the demand for experienced personnel in Yakima can be advantageous. As the field continues to evolve post-2021 with credentialing becoming a requirement, such strategies might prove essential in maximizing earnings.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Yakima in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Yakima?
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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 Yakima. 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, 5-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