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Sterile Processing Technician Job DescriptionTop 5 Highest Paying States for Sterile Processing Techs5 of The lowest Paying States for Sterile Processing TechsMedian Salary for Sterile Processing TechSterile Processing Tech Job OutlookAverage Sterile Processing Tech Salary By StateAverage Job Salary for Travel Sterile Processing TechStaff Versus Travel Sterile Processing TechTravel Sterile Processing Tech ProsTravel Sterile Processing Tech ConsWhere to Look for Travel Sterile Processing Tech Jobs
Sterile processing tech (SPT) salary is variable on experience and the state you are working in. Most of the time SPTs work in hospitals and outpatient clinics. Their main hub is in the sterilization department working closely with the operating room. Members of the OR work together smoothly and effectively like a well-oiled machine. Every team member has their own role with specific tasks that contribute to a successful operation. A sterile processing tech is a crucial member of this team!
Sterile Processing Technician Job Description
The role of a sterile processing technician is to ensure all reusable surgical and medical instruments are cleaned, sterilized, organized, and ready to use. They retrieve contaminated tools and package and deliver sterilized instruments in a timely and organized manner. This is a fast-paced job where attention to detail is crucial to success. Although you are not working with patients directly, you are an important piece of the puzzle for surgery.
Top 5 Highest Paying States for Sterile Processing Techs
One variable that impacts sterile processing tech salary is the state you are practicing in. Massachusetts is the highest paying state, paying almost 15% higher than the national average according to Ziprecruiter. Keep in mind cost of living when looking at these numbers. For example, it costs more to live in Massachusetts and Washington than a state like Michigan or Alabama so it makes sense they pay a higher living wage.
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Massachusetts | $62,043 | $5,170 | $1,193 | $29.83 |
| Washington | $56,861 | $4,738 | $1,093 | $27.34 |
| Maryland | $55,285 | $4,607 | $1,063 | $26.58 |
| New York | $54,929 | $4,577 | $1,056 | $26.41 |
| Virginia | $53,680 | $4,473 | $1,032 | $25.81 |
5 of The lowest Paying States for Sterile Processing Techs
Louisiana is the lowest paying state for sterile processing techs. This state pays almost 28% lower than the national average according to Ziprecruiter. If you currently live in one of these states it might be worth looking into local or travel contracts to earn extra money! We talk about this more below.
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Louisiana | $37,901 | $3,158 | $728 | $18.22 |
| Georgia | $38,820 | $3,235 | $746 | $18.66 |
| Florida | $39,744 | $3,312 | $764 | $19.11 |
| Mississippi | $41,630 | $3,469 | $800 | $20.01 |
| Alabama | $42,195 | $3,516 | $811 | $20.29 |
Median Salary for Sterile Processing Tech
In 2023, the national average salary for a sterile processing tech is $52,969. Salary ranges vastly from as low as $28,500 to as high as $77,000! This is a huge pay gap. Some of the factors that contribute to the pay variability is city, state, hospital system, and years of experience. Earnings also vary depending if you are a permanent staff employee versus a temporary travel sterile processing tech. The good news is, there is some great money to be made. You just have to know where to look to be one of these top earners.
Sterile Processing Tech Job Outlook
The job market for sterile processing technicians is steady and consistent. Growth from 2021-2031 is projected to increase at a 6% rate according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. This an average growth trajectory for this industry. From 2021-2031, 3,700 jobs are expected to open up. This is mainly due to the aging Baby Boomer generation retiring and leaving the industry. A career as a sterile processing tech is a great way to get into the medical industry and secure a solid, in-demand job!
Average Sterile Processing Tech Salary By State
One of the main factors that determines salary is the city and state you work in! Below is a list of state wages for sterile processing technologists.
| State | Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage |
| Alabama | $42,195 | $3,516 | $811 | $20.29 |
| Alaska | $48,153 | $4,012 | $926 | $23.15 |
| Arizona | $48,441 | $4,036 | $931 | $23.29 |
| Arkansas | $50,548 | $4,212 | $972 | $24.30 |
| California | $51,113 | $4,259 | $982 | $24.57 |
| Colorado | $53,134 | $4,427 | $1,021 | $25.55 |
| Connecticut | $48,414 | $4,034 | $931 | $23.28 |
| Delaware | $52,177 | $4,348 | $1,003 | $25.09 |
| Florida | $39,744 | $3,312 | $764 | $19.11 |
| Georgia | $38,820 | $3,235 | $746 | $18.66 |
| Hawaii | $50,760 | $4,230 | $976 | $24.40 |
| Idaho | $52,082 | $4,340 | $1,001 | $25.04 |
| Illinois | $49,844 | $4,153 | $958 | $23.96 |
| Indiana | $46,772 | $3,897 | $899 | $22.49 |
| Iowa | $44,150 | $3,679 | $849 | $21.23 |
| Kansas | $42,441 | $3,536 | $816 | $20.40 |
| Kentucky | $53,513 | $4,459 | $1,029 | $25.73 |
| Louisiana | $37,901 | $3,158 | $728 | $18.22 |
| Maine | $48,401 | $4,033 | $930 | $23.27 |
| Maryland | $55,285 | $4,607 | $1,063 | $26.58 |
| Massachusetts | $62,043 | $5,170 | $1,193 | $29.83 |
| Michigan | $49,489 | $4,124 | $951 | $23.79 |
| Minnesota | $47,340 | $3,945 | $910 | $22.76 |
| Mississippi | $41,630 | $3,469 | $800 | $20.01 |
| Missouri | $48,693 | $4,057 | $936 | $23.41 |
| Montana | $46,261 | $3,855 | $889 | $22.24 |
| Nebraska | $51,819 | $4,318 | $996 | $24.91 |
| Nevada | $50,562 | $4,213 | $972 | $24.31 |
| New Hampshire | $50,915 | $4,242 | $979 | $24.48 |
| New Jersey | $48,145 | $4,012 | $925 | $23.15 |
| New Mexico | $42,388 | $3,532 | $815 | $20.38 |
| New York | $54,929 | $4,577 | $1,056 | $26.41 |
| North Carolina | $43,351 | $3,612 | $833 | $20.84 |
| North Dakota | $46,861 | $3,905 | $901 | $22.53 |
| Ohio | $44,620 | $3,718 | $858 | $21.45 |
| Oklahoma | $49,515 | $4,126 | $952 | $23.81 |
| Oregon | $47,876 | $3,989 | $920 | $23.02 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,196 | $3,766 | $869 | $21.73 |
| Rhode Island | $47,955 | $3,996 | $922 | $23.06 |
| South Carolina | $51,736 | $4,311 | $994 | $24.87 |
| South Dakota | $44,938 | $3,744 | $864 | $21.61 |
| Tennessee | $49,269 | $4,105 | $947 | $23.69 |
| Texas | $46,291 | $3,857 | $890 | $22.26 |
| Utah | $43,907 | $3,658 | $844 | $21.11 |
| Vermont | $50,051 | $4,170 | $962 | $24.06 |
| Virginia | $53,680 | $4,473 | $1,032 | $25.81 |
| Washington | $56,861 | $4,738 | $1,093 | $27.34 |
| West Virginia | $46,297 | $3,858 | $890 | $22.26 |
| Wisconsin | $44,761 | $3,730 | $860 | $21.52 |
| Wyoming | $48,115 | $4,009 | $925 | $23.13 |
Average Job Salary for Travel Sterile Processing Tech
Travel contracts are a great opportunity to increase your income! The average national weekly pay for a travel sterile processing tech in the United States was $1,407 according to Vivian in 2023. That is 34% higher than the national average for a staff sterile processing tech! This pay increase is one of the many reasons that make local and travel contracts so appealing. Whether you are looking for a higher paycheck or a new adventure, it might be worth looking into opportunities near you!
Staff Versus Travel Sterile Processing Tech
There are lots of different paths you can take as a sterile processing tech. One path you might be considering is traveling on contract. A typical travel contract is 13-weeks at a facility that has a hole to fill in their department. You are working as a temporary employee to help them fill that gap until they can find a permanent staff member. Sometimes you can extend a contract at a facility and stay there for a few months or even years if the need is there. Travel contracts can have some great pros but also come with a few cons too. Here are a few things to consider when thinking about a travel contract!
Travel Sterile Processing Tech Pros
- Flexibility
- Better Work-Life Balance
- Higher Hourly Wage
- Avoid Work Politics
- Ability To Take Time Off
Increased pay is often a driving factor for people to start traveling, but things like flexibility, avoiding hospital politics, and time off are also top reasons! Traveling as a sterile processing tech can help fight burnout also because you are able to take adequate time off between contracts to relax and spend time with family.
Travel Sterile Processing Tech Cons
- Possibility of Cancelled Contract
- Having To Relearn Facility Norms
- Working With New People Every Few Months
- Benefits Normally Aren’t As Good As Staff
- Not As Stable As A Staff Job
Obviously traveling is quite different than working a staff job. For instance, you work at new facilities and with new people every contract. This can sometimes be a learning curve at the start of a new contract. Medical benefits for travelers are normally more expensive than staff benefits and may not cover as much. Make sure to ask your recruiter about this if you will be needing insurance. Working with an agency also always comes with the risk of a cancelled contract, normally your recruiter can get you another contract that’s just as great though! Keep in mind that being agile and flexible is definitely something you will have to be when taking travel contracts.
Where to Look for Travel Sterile Processing Tech Jobs
Look in the right place for your next travel contract! There are some great travel allied specific job sites like Vivian that have up-to-date jobs with pay rates that you can easily apply for. Recruiters are standing by to chat about any opportunities you are interested in. The beauty with these sites are you get to choose your own adventure. You can also browse an agency directly by filtering their job page. Browse the travel sterile processing jobs PRN Healthcare has across the nation here!