Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Amarillo vs San Antonio: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Amarillo, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amarillo, TX
$45,033
$21.65/hr
San Antonio, TX
$45,113
$21.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmarillo, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$45,033$45,113
Hourly Rate$21.65$21.69
Entry Level (P10)$32,937$35,758
25th Percentile$34,198$36,629
75th Percentile$46,754$48,164
Top Earner (P90)$55,398$63,122
Total Employed40390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amarillo ($45,033) and San Antonio ($45,113) sterile processing technician salaries.AmarilloSan AntonioMedian Salary$45,033$45,113Entry Level (P10)$32,937$35,758Top Earner (P90)$55,398$63,122US Median $47,724

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amarillo.

The salary gap between Amarillo and San Antonio is $80 (0.18%). San Antonio's median is -5.47% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amarillo spans $22,461,San Antonio spans $27,364. San Antonio has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Amarillo
P10 (Entry)$32,937
P25$34,198
Median$45,033
P75$46,754
P90 (Top)$55,398
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$35,758
P25$36,629
Median$45,113
P75$48,164
P90 (Top)$63,122

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Amarillo ($49,045 effective) pays 2.97% more than San Antonio ($47,630 effective).

Amarillo
Nominal: $45,033
CoL Index: 91.82
Adjusted: $49,045
San Antonio
Nominal: $45,113
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $47,630

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amarillo if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,045)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,113/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,122)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Amarillo grew 44.9% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Amarillo, TX

+44.9%

$29,830 (2021) → $43,210 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+28.8%

$33,600 (2019) → $43,286 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Amarillo or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,113/year, compared to Amarillo at $45,033/year — a difference of $80 (0.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amarillo and San Antonio?

Amarillo sterile processing technicians earn $21.65/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $21.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amarillo to San Antonio as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amarillo and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amarillo = $49,045, San Antonio = $47,630), job availability (40 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Amarillo vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $32,937 in Amarillo and $35,758 in San Antonio. The San Antonio area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, CCSVP

Career Analyst

Amina has 8 years of experience in sterile processing. She specialized in instrument sterilization techniques in a large hospital. Amina analyzes career trends for sterile processing technicians.

Clinically reviewed by David Kim, CSTData verified by Maya Lopez, CSPDT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.22% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov