MN · Rochester · Updated October 15, 2026

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Rochester, MN

The median sterile processing technician pay in the Rochester area is $22.83 per hour ($47,480 a year), with the typical range running from $22.39 to $26.78. That ranks 52nd of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 22nd of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Rochester. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Rochester.

Sterile Processing Technician pay in Rochester, MN

The metro median is 2% below the Minnesota statewide median of $23.36 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 120 medical equipment preparers employed in the Rochester metro area, 1.0 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 2.15).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$18.85$39,21016% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$22.39$46,570in line with U.S. median
Median$22.83$47,4802% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$26.78$55,70020% above U.S. median
Top 10%$26.78$55,70020% above U.S. median

How Rochester ranks

  • 52nd of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 22nd of 222 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 3 Minnesota 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 Rochester

  • Overall prices in Rochester run 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.8, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 21% below the U.S. average (index 78.6).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $22.83 median hour buys what $25.14 buys at the national price level, 12% 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.

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Estimate your Rochester paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$822
  • Per year: $41,094
  • Per month: $3,424

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

Travel assignment per diem in Rochester

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$127
Meals and incidentals per day$80
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,449
13-week assignment$18,837

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 Minnesota

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

All Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Minnesota

Hospitals in Rochester

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Rochester, 2 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester
Rochester, MN
Acute careNonprofit5 of 5Yes
Olmsted Medical Center
Rochester, MN
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Community Behavioral Health Hospital Rochester
Rochester, MN
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
Lakeville, MN60 mi$24.96/hr77,971
Apple Valley, MN62 mi$24.96/hr55,272
La Crosse, WI64 mi$22.20/hr51,049
Eagan, MN65 mi$24.96/hr67,240
Burnsville, MN65 mi$24.96/hr64,864
Woodbury, MN65 mi$24.96/hr80,596

Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Minnesota · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Minnesota

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

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

Minnesota state guide

Other healthcare roles in Rochester

Rochester city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do sterile processing technicians make in Rochester, MN?

Sterile Processing Technicians in the Rochester metro area have a median pay of $22.83 per hour, about $47,480 a year. The middle half earn between $22.39 and $26.78 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

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

Rochester ranks 22nd of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 52nd of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Where do sterile processing technicians work in Rochester?

CMS lists 3 hospitals in Rochester, led by Mayo Clinic Hospital Rochester. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Minnesota license to work in Rochester as a sterile processing technician?

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

The federal per diem benchmark in Rochester is $127 a night for lodging and $80 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,449 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 Rochester?

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

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

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

    The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.

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    What they are offering now

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

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

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Allina HealthMinnesota · 10 postings$29.02/ hr$22–$34
  • Essentia HealthDuluth, MN · 4 postings$20.58/ hr$17–$24
  • Montage HealthMonterey, CA · 3 postings$43.97/ hr$38–$50
  • CommonSpirit HealthDurango, CO · 5 postings$30.79/ hr$20–$37

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

2What they are offering now

Low$18Median$27.49High$34

15 SPD Tech postings with published pay in Minnesota, 13 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 15 SPD Tech roles

  1. Sterile Processing Technician - 40 Hours Weekly - Day, Evening, & Night RotationPermanent
    $18.25–$23.98/ hour
    Essentia Health · Duluth, MN · posted yesterday
  2. Sterile Processing Technician - 32 Hours Weekly - Day, Evening, & Night RotationPermanent
    $18.25–$23.98/ hour
    Essentia Health · Duluth, MN · posted yesterday

+ 13 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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