Pennsylvania pay at a glance
| Hourly pay | BLS, Pennsylvania | BLS, U.S. | Live staff listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.03 | $17.50 | – |
| 25th percentile | $19.09 | $19.13 | – |
| Median | $22.03 | $22.93 | – |
| 75th percentile | $24.06 | $28.16 | – |
| 90th percentile | $27.44 | $33.63 | – |
| Mean | $22.24 | $24.28 | – |
| Sample | 3,450 employed | 77,420 employed | 0 listings with hourly pay |
The BLS median in Pennsylvania is $22.03 an hour, 4% below the national median of $22.93. That ranks Pennsylvania 32 of 51 (the 50 states and DC) by median pay. BLS's annual median is $45,820. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile)
None of the 23 live listings in Pennsylvania publish an hourly rate for a staff technician role right now, so the BLS figures are the best guide here.
Travel contracts here quote a median of $1,152 a week (6 listings), which can include tax-free stipends. See travel SPD pay.
Pay by metro area in Pennsylvania
| Metro area (BLS) | Median hourly | vs Pennsylvania | Employed | Live jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $24.22 | +10% | 1,660 | 13 |
| Pittsburgh | $20.03 | −9% | 640 | 2 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $21.79 | −1% | 300 | – |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $21.69 | −2% | 270 | – |
| Lancaster | $22.03 | 0% | 160 | – |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre | $22.00 | 0% | 160 | 9 |
| York-Hanover | $22.27 | +1% | 110 | – |
| Erie | $21.09 | −4% | 70 | – |
| Reading | $20.47 | −7% | 70 | – |
| Chambersburg | $20.91 | −5% | 30 | – |
BLS OEWS May 2025 for 31-9093, metro areas with a published estimate (10); BLS did not publish one for 6 other Pennsylvania metro areas. Metros that cross state lines are listed in each state. Live jobs: listings on SterileShift placed in metros with the Census Bureau's delineation files, Oct 21, 2026. Sources: BLS Public Data API: OEWS May 2025 metro and state series for 31-9093, U.S. Census Bureau: July 2023 metropolitan area delineation files (used to place listings in metros)
Live sterile processing jobs in Pennsylvania
23 live openings in 22 listings (17 staff, 5 travel), as of Oct 21, 2026.
23 live openings in Pennsylvania. See them all
Certification rules
Pennsylvania requires certification. New hires: within 18 months of date of hire (CRCST or CSPDT). State rules explained · law text
Getting started: how to become an SPD tech · CRCST vs CBSPD · entry-level jobs
How these numbers work
- BLS figures are the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for SOC 31-9093 (medical equipment preparers), pulled from the official BLS data API. They reflect wages actually paid to everyone in the job, including long-tenured staff.
- Posted figures are the median of the midpoint of each live listing's advertised range, for staff technician roles paid hourly, before shift differentials and sign-on bonuses. They rebuild every day.
- Compare every state on one page: salary by state.
More salary guides
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a sterile processing tech make in Pennsylvania?
The BLS median wage for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093, which covers sterile processing technicians) in Pennsylvania was $22.03 an hour, or $45,820 a year, in May 2025, against $22.93 nationally. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
What is the pay range for sterile processing techs in Pennsylvania?
BLS puts the 10th percentile at $18.03 an hour and the 90th percentile at $27.44 in Pennsylvania (May 2025); the middle half earn between $19.09 and $24.06. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Which metro area in Pennsylvania pays sterile processing techs the most?
Of the 10 Pennsylvania metro areas with a published BLS estimate, Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington has the highest median, $24.22 an hour (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Does Pennsylvania pay sterile processing techs more than other states?
By BLS median hourly wage for 31-9093, Pennsylvania ranks 32 of 51 (the 50 states and DC) ($22.03 vs the national $22.93, May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile)
- BLS Public Data API: OEWS May 2025 metro and state series for 31-9093
- U.S. Census Bureau: July 2023 metropolitan area delineation files (used to place listings in metros)
- HSPA: Legislative certification issues (state map)
- SterileShift job data: 585 live sterile processing openings collected from public hospital and staffing-agency career sites, Oct 21, 2026. How we collect it.
SterileShift is not affiliated with HSPA, CBSPD or the BLS. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm on the official sites before you apply or pay for anything.