Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $22.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Appleton, WI runs $22.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,498 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Appleton, Wisconsin, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $22.83 in 2026, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $22.94. This rate offers competitive earning potential for those working part-time, such as individuals in three-day per week schedules, who could see substantial monthly earnings while still enjoying their personal time. The hourly rate also supports flexible options for per-diem workers in varied environments like hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and instrument processing rooms. With an entry-level hourly pay starting at $16.89 and top earners reaching $27.99, this field provides a pathway to solid financial stability, all based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.89 | $135.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.53 | $164.25 |
| Median (P50) | $22.83 | $182.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.13 | $201.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.99 | $223.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $22.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.83/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $47,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,402. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $913.38 | $3,958 | $47,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.03 | $2,375 | $28,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.35 | $1,583 | $18,998 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Appleton) | $22.83 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $47,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.50% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,296.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.83/hr = $28,498/year (purchasing power: $30,835).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,496/year (purchasing power: $51,392).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Appleton grew 27.4% from $17.20/hr (2019) to $21.91/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.80/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
Considering part-time earnings, a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week could take home approximately $28,260 annually, offering flexibility that full-time roles may not provide. For those pursuing per-diem positions—often billed between $22 and $32 hourly—there is the potential for higher pay, especially for certified professionals handling endoscope reprocessing, where rates can reach up to $40 in agency placements. Appleton's pay rates fluctuate based on employer type, with hospitals typically providing lower rates compared to specialized surgical centers and third-party sterile processing services. This variation creates a trade-off: technicians may opt for higher hourly rates without benefits or more stable positions with health insurance but lower pay. When negotiating, those in the Appleton area should highlight their certifications, particularly if they are CRCST or CER credentialed, to secure the best possible hourly rate while considering the growing demand for skilled technicians in the field.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Appleton 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 Appleton. 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, 2-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