GA · Columbus · Updated October 15, 2026

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Columbus, GA

Pay for sterile processing technicians in the Columbus area centers on $17.32 per hour, or about $36,030 a year. The lower quarter earns under $16.80 and the upper quarter over $20.88. That ranks 218th of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 193rd of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Columbus. The free report below lists employers near Columbus and what they pay.

Sterile Processing Technician pay in Columbus, GA

The metro median is 23% below the Georgia statewide median of $22.45 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 60 medical equipment preparers employed in the Columbus metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.10).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$13.59$28,27039% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$16.80$34,94025% below U.S. median
Median$17.32$36,03023% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$20.88$43,4307% below U.S. median
Top 10%$21.43$44,5704% below U.S. median

How Columbus ranks

  • 218th of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 193rd of 222 after adjusting for local prices
  • 6th of 6 Georgia 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 Columbus

  • Overall prices in Columbus run 11% below the U.S. average (index 89.3, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 39% below the U.S. average (index 61.2).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $17.32 median hour buys what $19.40 buys at the national price level, 13% 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 Columbus, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Columbus paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$624
  • Per year: $31,176
  • Per month: $2,598

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

Travel assignment per diem in Columbus

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

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 (this is the standard rate that applies here). 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 Georgia

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

All Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Georgia

Hospitals in Columbus

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbus, 1 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside
Columbus, GA
Acute careFor-profit5 of 5No
St Francis Hospital- Emory Healthcare
Columbus, GA
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5No
Piedmont Columbus Regional Midtown
Columbus, GA
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes
West Central Georgia Regional Hospital
Columbus, GA
PsychiatricGovernment and federalNot ratedNo

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
Warner Robins, GA71 mi$22.45/hr86,199
Macon, GA72 mi$20.05/hr157,056
Albany, GA76 mi$22.45/hr66,705
South Fulton, GA80 mi$23.94/hr112,003
Montgomery, AL82 mi$17.51/hr195,818
Atlanta, GA90 mi$23.94/hr520,070

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Georgia · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Georgia

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

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

Georgia state guide

Other healthcare roles in Columbus

Columbus city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Columbus, GA?

Sterile Processing Technicians in the Columbus metro area have a median pay of $17.32 per hour, about $36,030 a year. The middle half earn between $16.80 and $20.88 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Columbus ranks 193rd of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 218th of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 11% below the U.S. average.

Where do sterile processing technicians work in Columbus?

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Columbus, led by Piedmont Columbus Regional Northside. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Georgia license to work in Columbus as a sterile processing technician?

CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Georgia requires for your role with the Georgia 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 Columbus?

The federal per diem benchmark in Columbus is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 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 Columbus?

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

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

Your SPD Tech pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Georgia 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 Georgia list

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$26.27High$34

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 now: 1 SPD Tech roles

  1. Medical Supply Technician (Sterile Processing)Permanent
    $45k–$59k/ year
    Military Treatment Facilities under DHA · Fort Stewart, GA · posted yesterday

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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