Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Germantown, WI: $21.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Germantown, WI runs $21.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,813 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Germantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,885 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Germantown, the median hourly pay for a sterile processing technician is projected to be $21.54 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $22.94. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this translates to a gross income that supports various staffing needs in settings like hospital SPD decontamination rooms, ASC instrument processing areas, and endoscope reprocessing units. Entry-level technicians in this field may earn around $16.95 per hour, while more experienced professionals can see their pay reach up to $30.56. This wage structure reflects the increasing demand for credentialed sterile processing professionals, especially given the industry's shift toward requiring certifications like CRCST, CIS, and CER in recent years.
About the Germantown Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.95 | $135.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.82 | $150.58 |
| Median (P50) | $21.54 | $172.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.27 | $210.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.56 | $244.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Germantown
Based on $21.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.54/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Germantown, WI can expect to earn approximately $44,808 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,851. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Germantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Germantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $861.69 | $3,734 | $44,808 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $517.01 | $2,240 | $26,885 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $344.68 | $1,494 | $17,923 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Germantown) | $21.54 |
| 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 Germantown, WI earn a median of $44,813 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 5.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $47,321.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.54/hr = $26,885/year (purchasing power: $28,785).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,808/year (purchasing power: $47,974).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Germantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Germantown grew 27.4% from $16.22/hr (2019) to $20.67/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.45/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 Germantown 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 Germantown
For part-time sterile processing technicians in Germantown, a typical schedule of 24 hours a week would yield an annual income significantly lower than that of a full-time role, which could impact financial stability. Per-diem and agency positions can offer a flexible alternative, with rates ranging from $22 to $32 per hour, and specialized roles—such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors—fetching up to $40 per hour based on agency placements. Additionally, travel contracts have been emerging post-2020, offering weekly paychecks between $1,000 and $1,500 in high-demand areas. The hourly pay can fluctuate depending on the employer type, whether in hospital settings, ambulatory surgery centers, or third-party services, prompting many technicians to weigh the benefits of health insurance against higher hourly rates without benefits. Knowing the local job market can help negotiate better pay, emphasizing specialty credentials and any noteworthy industry experience.
More salary data for Germantown, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Germantown in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Germantown?
Are sterile processing technicians in Germantown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Germantown?
Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Germantown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Germantown. 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 Germantown 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