Sterile Processing Tech Salary

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

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

Pearland, TX
$42,742
$20.55/hr
San Antonio, TX
$45,113
$21.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPearland, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$42,742$45,113
Hourly Rate$20.55$21.69
Entry Level (P10)$32,515$35,758
25th Percentile$35,428$36,629
75th Percentile$52,948$48,164
Top Earner (P90)$63,350$63,122
Total Employed19390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pearland ($42,742) and San Antonio ($45,113) sterile processing technician salaries.PearlandSan AntonioMedian Salary$42,742$45,113Entry Level (P10)$32,515$35,758Top Earner (P90)$63,350$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 Pearland.

The salary gap between Pearland and San Antonio is $2,371 (5.55%). 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 Pearland spans $30,835,San Antonio spans $27,364. Pearland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pearland
P10 (Entry)$32,515
P25$35,428
Median$42,742
P75$52,948
P90 (Top)$63,350
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 6.98% more than Pearland ($44,523 effective).

Pearland
Nominal: $42,742
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $44,523
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 Pearland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,350)
  • 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 Pearland grew -2.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.8% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Pearland, TX

+-2.0%

$41,862 (2024) → $41,011 (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: Pearland or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median sterile processing technician salary at $45,113/year, compared to Pearland at $42,742/year — a difference of $2,371 (5.55%).

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

Pearland sterile processing technicians earn $20.55/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $21.69/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pearland and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pearland = $44,523, San Antonio = $47,630), job availability (19 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) sterile processing technicians earn $32,515 in Pearland 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