Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Lancaster, PA
The median sterile processing technician pay in the Lancaster area is $18.93 per hour ($39,370 a year), with the typical range running from $18.73 to $22.24. That ranks 170th of 233 U.S. metro areas for sterile processing technician pay, and 199th of 222 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 3 hospitals in Lancaster. The free report below lists employers near Lancaster and what they pay.
- $18.93median pay per hour, Lancaster
- $19–$22typical range per hour
- 120employed in the metro area
- 98cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Sterile Processing Technician pay in Lancaster, PA
The metro median is 10% below the Pennsylvania statewide median of $21.11 per hour. Nationally the median is $22.35 per hour. BLS counts about 120 medical equipment preparers employed in the Lancaster metro area, 0.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is about as concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.03).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $16.28 | $33,860 | 27% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $18.73 | $38,960 | 16% below U.S. median |
| Median | $18.93 | $39,370 | 15% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $22.24 | $46,260 | in line with U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $26.59 | $55,310 | 19% above U.S. median |
How Lancaster ranks
- 170th of 233 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 199th of 222 after adjusting for local prices
- 9th of 9 Pennsylvania 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 Lancaster
- Overall prices in Lancaster run 2% below the U.S. average (index 98.3, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 6% below the U.S. average (index 93.8).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $18.93 median hour buys what $19.27 buys at the national price level, 14% 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 Lancaster Sterile Processing Technician pay report
Named employers near Lancaster, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Lancaster paycheck
- Per year: $34,074
- Per month: $2,840
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Lancaster metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Lancaster
| Item | Federal rate |
|---|---|
| Lodging per night | $123 |
| Meals and incidentals per day | $74 |
| Per week (7 nights, 7 days) | $1,379 |
| 13-week assignment | $17,927 |
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 Lancaster
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Lancaster, 1 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster General Hospital Lancaster, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center Lancaster, PA | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Lancaster Behavioral Health Hospital Lancaster, PA | Psychiatric | Nonprofit | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading, PA | 29 mi | $22.78/hr | 96,000 |
| Harrisburg, PA | 35 mi | $20.58/hr | 50,649 |
| Wilmington, DE | 46 mi | $22.36/hr | 73,176 |
| Baltimore, MD | 54 mi | $22.56/hr | 568,271 |
| Allentown, PA | 58 mi | $20.60/hr | 127,138 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 62 mi | $22.36/hr | 1,573,916 |
Sterile Processing Technician jobs in Pennsylvania · Sterile Processing Technician jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Pennsylvania
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.
Pennsylvania taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Lancaster
Lancaster city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Lancaster, PA?
Sterile Processing Technicians in the Lancaster metro area have a median pay of $18.93 per hour, about $39,370 a year. The middle half earn between $18.73 and $22.24 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Lancaster a good place for sterile processing technicians once cost of living is counted?
Lancaster ranks 199th of 222 metro areas for sterile processing technician pay after adjusting for local prices, and 170th of 233 before adjusting. Overall prices run 2% below the U.S. average.
Where do sterile processing technicians work in Lancaster?
CMS lists 3 hospitals in Lancaster, led by Lancaster General Hospital. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Pennsylvania license to work in Lancaster as a sterile processing technician?
CRCST or CSPDT certification, or the ability to earn it. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Pennsylvania requires for your role with the Pennsylvania 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 Lancaster?
The federal per diem benchmark in Lancaster is $123 a night for lodging and $74 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,379 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 Lancaster?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Lancaster and across Pennsylvania. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Lancaster.
What do employers near Lancaster 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.
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110+ Sterile Processing Technician roles in Pennsylvania, 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Lancaster, PA, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.