Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Eau Claire, WI: $23.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Eau Claire, WI runs $23.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Eau Claire's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,928 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly pay of $23.98 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, sterile processing technicians earn a competitive wage compared to the national hourly median of $22.94. This figure reflects the ongoing demand for qualified personnel in various healthcare settings, including hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing facilities. For part-time technicians working three days a week, the hourly wage translates into a sustainable income, while those in per-diem roles can further boost their earnings by working flexible shifts. The hourly pay range for this profession in Eau Claire extends from $20.83 for entry-level positions to $27.76 for more experienced professionals, allowing for significant earning potential as one progresses in their career. These statistics, derived from projected data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, demonstrate that the sterile processing technician hourly pay in Eau Claire is attractive, particularly in a market where healthcare staffing continues to evolve.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.83 | $166.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.93 | $183.43 |
| Median (P50) | $23.98 | $191.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.22 | $217.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.76 | $222.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Eau Claire
Based on $23.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.98/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Eau Claire, WI can expect to earn approximately $49,881 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,777. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Eau Claire.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Eau Claire
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $959.24 | $4,157 | $49,881 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $575.54 | $2,494 | $29,928 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.70 | $1,663 | $19,952 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Eau Claire) | $23.98 |
| 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 Eau Claire, WI earn a median of $49,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.53% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 5.50% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,285.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.98/hr = $29,928/year (purchasing power: $32,252).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,881/year (purchasing power: $53,753).
CoL index: 92.796 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.98/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Eau Claire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Eau Claire grew 40.2% from $16.41/hr (2019) to $23.01/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.99/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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire
Part-time sterile processing technicians in Eau Claire can expect to bring home approximately $28,000 annually when working 24 hours a week, which reflects a viable income for those balancing other commitments. For per-diem and agency technicians, pay varies widely based on credentials and experience. For instance, while most SPD techs bill between $22 and $32 per hour, those holding the CER credential specializing in endoscope reprocessing can command rates from $28 to $40 in certain agency placements. Additionally, with the growing trend of travel contracts—where technicians may earn between $1,000 and $1,500 weekly—flexibility becomes a compelling factor for many professionals. In terms of employer types, pay rates vary across hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental specialty practices, leading many to weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay with health insurance coverage against higher pay without benefits. Those entering negotiations should be aware of this variation in pay rates and the local job market landscape to secure the best possible deal for their expertise in sterile processing.
More salary data for Eau Claire, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire. 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, 7-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