Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Haltom City vs Houston: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Haltom City, TX and Houston, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Haltom City, TX
$40,931
$19.68/hr
Houston, TX
$47,294
$22.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHaltom City, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$40,931$47,294
Hourly Rate$19.68$22.74
Entry Level (P10)$32,553$37,249
25th Percentile$34,651$38,459
75th Percentile$49,296$59,160
Top Earner (P90)$57,445$72,737
Total Employed111,270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Haltom City ($40,931) and Houston ($47,294) sterile processing technician salaries.Haltom CityHoustonMedian Salary$40,931$47,294Entry Level (P10)$32,553$37,249Top Earner (P90)$57,445$72,737US Median $47,724

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Haltom City.

The salary gap between Haltom City and Houston is $6,363 (15.55%). Houston's median is -0.90% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Haltom City spans $24,892,Houston spans $35,488. Houston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced sterile processing technicians.

Haltom City
P10 (Entry)$32,553
P25$34,651
Median$40,931
P75$49,296
P90 (Top)$57,445
Houston
P10 (Entry)$37,249
P25$38,459
Median$47,294
P75$59,160
P90 (Top)$72,737

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,951 effective) pays 12.47% more than Haltom City ($42,636 effective).

Haltom City
Nominal: $40,931
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $42,636
Houston
Nominal: $47,294
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,951

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Haltom City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,294/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,737)
  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,951)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Haltom City grew -2.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.0% growth in Houston over the same period.

Haltom City, TX

+-2.0%

$40,089 (2024) → $39,274 (2025)

Houston, TX

+27.0%

$35,730 (2019) → $45,379 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Haltom City or Houston?

Houston has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $47,294/year, compared to Haltom City at $40,931/year — a difference of $6,363 (15.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Haltom City and Houston?

Haltom City sterile processing technicians earn $19.68/hr while Houston hygienists earn $22.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Haltom City to Houston as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Haltom City and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Haltom City = $42,636, Houston = $47,951), job availability (11 vs 1,270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Haltom City vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $32,553 in Haltom City and $37,249 in Houston. The Houston 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