Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Washington, DC
Sterile Processing Technicians in the Washington area earn a median of $24.54 per hour, about $51,030 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $22.33 and $28.92. That ranks 32nd of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 84th of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 10 hospitals in Washington. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Washington.
- $24.54median pay per hour, Washington
- $22–$29typical range per hour
- 980employed in the metro area
- 109cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Sterile Processing Technician pay in Washington, DC
The metro median is 6% below the District of Columbia statewide median of $26.15 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 980 medical equipment preparers employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.66).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $18.53 | $38,540 | 17% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $22.33 | $46,450 | in line with U.S. median |
| Median | $24.54 | $51,030 | 10% above U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $28.92 | $60,150 | 29% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $36.13 | $75,150 | 62% above U.S. median |
How Washington ranks
- 32nd of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 84th of 222 after adjusting for local prices
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 Washington
- Overall prices in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria run 9% above the U.S. average (index 108.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 51% above the U.S. average (index 151.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $24.54 median hour buys what $22.54 buys at the national price level, 1% above 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.
Get the Washington Sterile Processing Technician pay report
Named employers near Washington, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Washington paycheck
- Per year: $44,172
- Per month: $3,681
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Washington
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $234 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $92 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $2,282 |
| 13-week assignment | $29,666 |
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).
Hospitals in Washington
CMS lists 10 hospitals in Washington, 1 of the 7 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sibley Memorial Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Medstar Georgetown University Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Medstar Washington Hospital Center Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| United Medical Center Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Washington Dc Va Medical Center Washington, DC | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| George Washington Univ Hospital Washington, DC | Acute care | For-profit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
| Howard University Hospital Corp Washington, DC | Acute care | Nonprofit | 1 of 5 | No |
| Children's National Hospital Washington, DC | Children's | Nonprofit | Not rated | Yes |
| Psychiatric Institute Of Washington Washington, DC | Psychiatric | Nonprofit | Not rated | No |
| St Elizabeths Hospital Washington, DC | Psychiatric | Government and federal | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Sterile Processing Technician pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria, VA | 7 mi | $24.54/hr | 159,102 |
| Rockville, MD | 14 mi | $24.54/hr | 68,417 |
| Baltimore, MD | 35 mi | $22.56/hr | 568,271 |
| Lancaster, PA | 87 mi | $18.93/hr | 58,441 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 95 mi | $20.58/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 98 mi | $22.36/hr | 73,176 |
Sterile Processing Technician jobs in District of Columbia · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in District of Columbia
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
District of Columbia taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Washington
Washington city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Washington, DC?
Sterile Processing Technicians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro area have a median pay of $24.54 per hour, about $51,030 a year. The middle half earn between $22.33 and $28.92 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Washington a good place for sterile processing technicians once cost of living is counted?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria ranks 84th of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 32nd of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% above the U.S. average.
Where do sterile processing technicians work in Washington?
CMS lists 10 hospitals in Washington, led by Sibley Memorial Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a District of Columbia license to work in Washington as a sterile processing technician?
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what District of Columbia requires for your role with the District of Columbia 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 Washington?
The federal per diem benchmark in Washington is $234 a night for lodging and $92 a day for meals and incidentals, about $2,282 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 Washington?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Washington and across District of Columbia. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Washington.
What do employers near Washington pay sterile processing technicians? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Sterile Processing Technician roles in District of Columbia, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your SPD Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your District of Columbia list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- 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
- Mass General BrighamBoston, MA · 13 postings$28.35/ hr$21–$33
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your District of Columbia list
2What they are offering now
128 SPD Tech postings with published pay in the US, 117 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open SPD Tech roles
Open SPD Tech roles near Washington, DC, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.