Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Dubuque, IA
Sterile Processing Technicians in Iowa earn a median of $19.08 per hour, about $39,680 a year, and the middle half of them earn between $18.30 and $22.13. That is 15% below the U.S. median of $22.35 per hour. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Dubuque.
- $19.08median pay per hour, Iowa
- $18–$22typical range per hour
- 87cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Sterile Processing Technician pay in Dubuque, IA
Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 600 medical equipment preparers employed in Iowa.
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.40 | $36,190 | 22% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.30 | $38,060 | 18% below U.S. median |
| Median | $19.08 | $39,680 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $22.13 | $46,030 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $25.91 | $53,890 | 16% above U.S. median |
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 Dubuque
- Overall prices in Dubuque run 13% below the U.S. average (index 87.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 36% below the U.S. average (index 64.0).
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 Dubuque Sterile Processing Technician pay report
Named employers near Dubuque, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Dubuque paycheck
- Per year: $34,344
- Per month: $2,862
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for Iowa. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Dubuque
| Item | Federal 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).
Hospitals in Dubuque
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finley Hospital Dubuque, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Mercyone Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque, IA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids, IA | 62 mi | $19.34/hr | 137,904 |
| Davenport, IA | 65 mi | $18.62/hr | 100,938 |
| Iowa City, IA | 72 mi | $18.30/hr | 76,710 |
| Madison, WI | 76 mi | $25.64/hr | 285,300 |
| Waterloo, IA | 84 mi | $18.44/hr | 67,477 |
| Rockford, IL | 86 mi | $19.79/hr | 147,486 |
Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Iowa · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Iowa
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Iowa taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Dubuque
Dubuque city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Dubuque, IA?
Sterile Processing Technicians in Iowa have a median pay of $19.08 per hour, about $39,680 a year. The middle half earn between $18.30 and $22.13 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Where do sterile processing technicians work in Dubuque?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Dubuque, led by Finley Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Iowa license to work in Dubuque as a sterile processing technician?
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Iowa requires for your role with the Iowa 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 Dubuque?
The federal per diem benchmark in Dubuque 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 Dubuque?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Dubuque and across Iowa. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Dubuque.
What do employers near Dubuque 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 Iowa, 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 Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Dubuque, IA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.