Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Owasso vs Tulsa: Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026)

Compare sterile processing technician salaries between Owasso, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Owasso, OK
$39,705
$19.09/hr
Tulsa, OK
$41,741
$20.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOwasso, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$39,705$41,741
Hourly Rate$19.09$20.07
Entry Level (P10)$30,084$36,589
25th Percentile$32,478$37,830
75th Percentile$47,560$46,234
Top Earner (P90)$55,446$51,376
Total Employed9220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Owasso ($39,705) and Tulsa ($41,741) sterile processing technician salaries.OwassoTulsaMedian Salary$39,705$41,741Entry Level (P10)$30,084$36,589Top Earner (P90)$55,446$51,376US Median $47,724

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for sterile processing technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Owasso.

The salary gap between Owasso and Tulsa is $2,036 (5.13%). Tulsa's median is -12.54% compared to the US national median of $47,724.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Owasso spans $25,362,Tulsa spans $14,787. Owasso has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Owasso
P10 (Entry)$30,084
P25$32,478
Median$39,705
P75$47,560
P90 (Top)$55,446
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$36,589
P25$37,830
Median$41,741
P75$46,234
P90 (Top)$51,376

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($46,787 effective) pays 4.76% more than Owasso ($44,663 effective).

Owasso
Nominal: $39,705
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $44,663
Tulsa
Nominal: $41,741
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $46,787

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Owasso if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($55,446)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,741/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,787)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, sterile processing technician salaries in Owasso grew 15.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Owasso, OK

+15.7%

$32,932 (2024) → $38,097 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+27.9%

$31,320 (2019) → $40,051 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays sterile processing technicians more: Owasso or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $41,741/year, compared to Owasso at $39,705/year — a difference of $2,036 (5.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Owasso and Tulsa?

Owasso sterile processing technicians earn $19.09/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $20.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Owasso to Tulsa as a sterile processing technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Owasso and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Owasso = $44,663, Tulsa = $46,787), job availability (9 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level sterile processing technicians earn in Owasso vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $30,084 in Owasso and $36,589 in Tulsa. The Tulsa area offers higher starting salaries.
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