Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Cedar Park vs San Antonio: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cedar Park, TX
$42,942
$20.65/hr
San Antonio, TX
$45,113
$21.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Park, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$42,942$45,113
Hourly Rate$20.65$21.69
Entry Level (P10)$31,570$35,758
25th Percentile$34,636$36,629
75th Percentile$53,931$48,164
Top Earner (P90)$64,499$63,122
Total Employed12390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Park ($42,942) and San Antonio ($45,113) sterile processing technician salaries.Cedar ParkSan AntonioMedian Salary$42,942$45,113Entry Level (P10)$31,570$35,758Top Earner (P90)$64,499$63,122US Median $47,724

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Park.

The salary gap between Cedar Park and San Antonio is $2,171 (5.06%). 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 Cedar Park spans $32,929,San Antonio spans $27,364. Cedar Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Park
P10 (Entry)$31,570
P25$34,636
Median$42,942
P75$53,931
P90 (Top)$64,499
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, San Antonio ($47,630 effective) pays 6.48% more than Cedar Park ($44,731 effective).

Cedar Park
Nominal: $42,942
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $44,731
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 Cedar Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($64,499)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,113/year)
  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,630)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Cedar Park grew -2.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Cedar Park, TX

+-2.0%

$42,058 (2024) → $41,203 (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: Cedar Park or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,113/year, compared to Cedar Park at $42,942/year — a difference of $2,171 (5.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Park and San Antonio?

Cedar Park sterile processing technicians earn $20.65/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $21.69/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Park and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Park = $44,731, San Antonio = $47,630), job availability (12 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $31,570 in Cedar Park 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