AZ · Tucson · Updated October 15, 2026

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Tucson, AZ

The median sterile processing technician pay in the Tucson area is $21.36 per hour ($44,420 a year), with the typical range running from $17.87 to $22.88. That ranks 107th of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 99th of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 10 hospitals in Tucson. The free report below lists employers near Tucson and what they pay.

Sterile Processing Technician pay in Tucson, AZ

The metro median is 4% below the Arizona statewide median of $22.15 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 250 medical equipment preparers employed in the Tucson metro area, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.38).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.75$36,92021% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$17.87$37,17020% below U.S. median
Median$21.36$44,4204% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$22.88$47,5902% above U.S. median
Top 10%$26.51$55,14019% above U.S. median

How Tucson ranks

  • 107th of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 99th of 222 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 3 Arizona metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Equipment Preparers (SOC 31-9093), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Tucson

  • Overall prices in Tucson run 3% below the U.S. average (index 96.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 8% below the U.S. average (index 91.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $21.36 median hour buys what $22.04 buys at the national price level, 1% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Tucson, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Tucson paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$769
  • Per year: $38,448
  • Per month: $3,204

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Tucson metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Tucson

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$135
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,505
13-week assignment$19,565

Travel sterile processing technician assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free. Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Sterile Processing Technician roles in Arizona

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Tucson as they open.

All Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Arizona

Hospitals in Tucson

CMS lists 10 hospitals in Tucson, 2 of the 7 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Va S. Arizona Healthcare System
Tucson, AZ
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Banner-University Medical Center South Campus
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Banner - University Medical Center Tucson Campus
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
St Joseph's Hospital
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Northwest Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
Acute careFor-profit2 of 5Yes
St. Mary's Hospital
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
Tucson Medical Center
Tucson, AZ
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
El Dorado Springs
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo
Palo Verde Behavioral Health
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricNonprofitNot ratedYes
Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital
Tucson, AZ
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedYes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Sterile Processing Technician pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Marana, AZ27 mi$22.48/hr62,380
Casa Grande, AZ74 mi$22.48/hr68,927
Queen Creek, AZ87 mi$22.48/hr83,781
Maricopa, AZ90 mi$22.48/hr76,654
Gilbert, AZ95 mi$22.48/hr288,790
Chandler, AZ97 mi$22.48/hr281,231

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Arizona · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Arizona

CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arizona requires for your role with the Arizona licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Arizona taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Arizona state guide

Other healthcare roles in Tucson

Tucson city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Tucson, AZ?

Sterile Processing Technicians in the Tucson metro area have a median pay of $21.36 per hour, about $44,420 a year. The middle half earn between $17.87 and $22.88 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Tucson a good place for sterile processing technicians once cost of living is counted?

Tucson ranks 99th of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 107th of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 3% below the U.S. average.

Where do sterile processing technicians work in Tucson?

CMS lists 10 hospitals in Tucson, led by Va S. Arizona Healthcare System. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Arizona license to work in Tucson as a sterile processing technician?

CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arizona requires for your role with the Arizona licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Tucson?

The federal per diem benchmark in Tucson is $135 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,505 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place sterile processing technicians in Tucson?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Tucson and across Arizona. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Tucson.

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What do employers near Tucson pay sterile processing technicians? Get the report.

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Pay report · SPD Tech near Tucson, AZ
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your SPD Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arizona list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthCHANDLER, AZ · 2 postings$22.33/ hr$19–$28
  • Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 3 postings$43.97/ hr$38–$50
  • CommonSpirit HealthDurango, CO · 5 postings$30.79/ hr$20–$37
  • Allina HealthMinnesota · 10 postings$29.02/ hr$22–$34

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arizona list

2What they are offering now

Low$19Median$23.50High$36

3 SPD Tech postings with published pay in Arizona, 2 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 3 SPD Tech roles

  1. Sr Sterile Processing TechPermanent
    $19.49–$27.52/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Chandler, AZ · posted 7 days ago
  2. Sterile Processing TechPermanent
    $18.60–$23.71/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Chandler, AZ · posted 10 days ago

+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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