Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Madison, WI runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,625 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,772 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $23.86 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $22.94. This competitive rate signifies attractive opportunities for both full-time and part-time positions. For technicians working three days a week, the role can fit into a flexible schedule often seen in hospital SPD environments, such as decontamination, assembly rooms, and endoscope reprocessing facilities. Entry-level positions may start at around $19.99, while experienced technicians could earn as much as $29.30 per hour. This data reflects official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating a stable demand for skilled technicians in various healthcare settings around Madison.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.99 | $159.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.22 | $185.76 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.51 | $228.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.30 | $234.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $49,620 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,627. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.24 | $4,135 | $49,620 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.54 | $2,481 | $29,772 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.70 | $1,654 | $19,848 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Madison) | $23.86 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $49,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.98% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 4.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,307.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,772/year (purchasing power: $30,602).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,620/year (purchasing power: $51,004).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Madison grew 25.1% from $18.30/hr (2019) to $22.89/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.86/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 Madison 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 Madison
Focusing on part-time and per-diem positions highlights the versatility of the sterile processing field in Madison. For example, a technician working 24 hours per week could bring home about $29,616 annually, which is significantly less than what full-time employees earn. Per diem sterile processing technician pay in Madison typically ranges from $22 to $32 per hour, with specialized roles like CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors potentially earning between $28 and $40 per hour when contracted through agencies. Pay can vary depending on the type of employer; for instance, hospital systems might offer lower hourly rates but provide substantial benefits, whereas third-party sterile processing providers may offer higher wages without additional perks. Understanding the nuances of pay and benefits is crucial for those entering the field, especially given the shift towards credentialed hiring in many healthcare environments post-2021, which has raised the demand for trained professionals.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Madison. 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