Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Fargo, ND
The median sterile processing technician pay in the Fargo area is $18.02 per hour ($37,480 a year), with the typical range running from $18.02 to $22.24. That ranks 197th of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 180th of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Fargo. The free report below lists employers near Fargo and what they pay.
- $18.02median pay per hour, Fargo
- $18–$22typical range per hour
- 220employed in the metro area
- 91cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Sterile Processing Technician pay in Fargo, ND
The metro median is in line with the North Dakota statewide median of $18.02 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 220 medical equipment preparers employed in the Fargo metro area, 1.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 3.22).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.68 | $36,770 | 21% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.02 | $37,480 | 19% below U.S. median |
| Median | $18.02 | $37,480 | 19% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $22.24 | $46,260 | in line with U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $28.46 | $59,200 | 27% above U.S. median |
How Fargo ranks
- 197th of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 180th 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 Fargo
- Overall prices in Fargo run 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 19% below the U.S. average (index 81.1).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $18.02 median hour buys what $19.83 buys at the national price level, 11% 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.
Get the Fargo Sterile Processing Technician pay report
Named employers near Fargo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Fargo paycheck
- Per year: $32,436
- Per month: $2,703
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fargo metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Fargo
| 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 Fargo
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fargo, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of sterile processing technicians.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo Va Medical Center Fargo, ND | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Sanford Medical Center Fargo Fargo, ND | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Essentia Health Fargo, ND | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Prairie St John's Fargo, ND | Psychiatric | For-profit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 74 mi | $18.02/hr | 59,845 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 157 mi | $23.36/hr | 72,145 |
| Bismarck, ND | 186 mi | $18.21/hr | 77,772 |
| Maple Grove, MN | 202 mi | $24.96/hr | 72,739 |
| Coon Rapids, MN | 205 mi | $24.96/hr | 63,807 |
| Plymouth, MN | 206 mi | $24.96/hr | 78,551 |
Sterile Processing Technician jobs in North Dakota · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in North Dakota
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Dakota requires for your role with the North Dakota licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
North Dakota taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Fargo
Fargo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Fargo, ND?
Sterile Processing Technicians in the Fargo metro area have a median pay of $18.02 per hour, about $37,480 a year. The middle half earn between $18.02 and $22.24 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Fargo a good place for sterile processing technicians once cost of living is counted?
Fargo ranks 180th of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 197th of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.
Where do sterile processing technicians work in Fargo?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fargo, led by Fargo Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a North Dakota license to work in Fargo as a sterile processing technician?
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Dakota requires for your role with the North Dakota 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 Fargo?
The federal per diem benchmark in Fargo 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 Fargo?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fargo and across North Dakota. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fargo.
What do employers near Fargo 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 North Dakota, 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 North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 Fargo, ND, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.