Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Milwaukee, WI: $22.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Milwaukee, WI runs $22.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,824 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,693 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Milwaukee, the hourly pay for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $22.99 in 2026, which is slightly above the national average of $22.94. For part-time workers, such as those typically employed three days a week, this translates to a significant contribution toward their yearly earnings, particularly in settings like hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers (ASC), and endoscope reprocessing rooms. Entry-level positions can expect to earn approximately $18.80 per hour, while highly experienced technicians at the top of the pay scale may make around $27.89. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data reflects not only the value of skilled positions in the healthcare sector but also the demand for credentialed professionals as the industry increasingly emphasizes qualifications like CRCST and CER certifications.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.80 | $150.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.55 | $180.43 |
| Median (P50) | $22.99 | $183.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.14 | $193.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.89 | $223.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukee
Based on $22.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.99/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $47,821 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,589. With a cost-of-living index of 96.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $919.64 | $3,985 | $47,821 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $551.78 | $2,391 | $28,693 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.85 | $1,594 | $19,128 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Milwaukee) | $22.99 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $47,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.21% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 1.10% above the Wisconsin state average of $47,304.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.99/hr = $28,693/year (purchasing power: $29,599).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,821/year (purchasing power: $49,332).
CoL index: 96.937 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.99/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Milwaukee grew 29.1% from $17.09/hr (2019) to $22.06/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.96/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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
For those considering part-time work as sterile processing technicians, it's feasible to earn a respectable income even with a reduced schedule; working an average of 24 hours a week could bring in a substantial portion of income while allowing for work-life balance. Per diem roles, which offer flexibility, can range from $22 to $32 per hour for general sterile processing positions, with advanced certifications like CER allowing workers to command rates between $28 and $40. Moreover, post-2020 trends have seen travel contract roles offering $1,000 to $1,500 per week, particularly in areas experiencing labor shortages. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer—hospital SPDs might offer different rates compared to ambulatory surgery centers or specialty practices. Some technicians may choose to accept slightly lower wages for full-time positions to gain health benefits, while others may prefer higher hourly pay without benefits in exchange for flexibility. Effective negotiation can be vital in this context; technicians should consider factors such as total compensation packages and the latest trends in Milwaukee's healthcare market when discussing their rates.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 Milwaukee. 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