Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $23.70 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Austin, TX runs $23.70 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,295 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,577 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, the sterile processing technician hourly pay reflects a competitive labor market, with a median offering of $23.70. This rate is 3.29% higher than the national median of $22.94, providing a solid compensation for technicians working in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and other clinical settings. For part-time workers averaging three days a week, this hourly rate can lead to a promising income, while per diem technicians may find their earnings fluctuate based on shifts and demand. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $18.38 per hour, with experienced professionals capable of reaching high-end earnings of $36.52 per hour. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the growing recognition of sterile processing roles in maintaining health care quality and safety.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.38 | $147.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.78 | $150.24 |
| Median (P50) | $23.70 | $189.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.70 | $237.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.52 | $292.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $23.70/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.70/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $49,295 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,440. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $947.99 | $4,108 | $49,295 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $568.79 | $2,465 | $29,577 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $379.19 | $1,643 | $19,718 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Austin) | $23.70 |
| Surgical Technologist (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.86 |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Austin, TX earn a median of $49,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 14.30% above the Texas state average of $43,128.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.70/hr = $29,577/year (purchasing power: $30,160).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,295/year (purchasing power: $50,267).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.70/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.70/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Austin grew 38.7% from $16.40/hr (2019) to $22.74/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.70/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem sterile processing technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.22% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Sterile Processing Technician in Austin
When considering the earning potential of a sterile processing technician, part-time work provides a compelling option, especially for those looking to balance professional commitments with personal life. A technician working 24 hours a week can anticipate a respectable annual income, although full-time positions offer greater financial stability. The per diem landscape in Austin can vary significantly, with agency placements often billing rates from $22 to $32 for general tasks, and specialized roles, such as CER-credentialed positions, fetching as much as $28 to $40 per hour. Various employers, from hospitals to dental specialties, affect hourly rates, creating a diverse job environment. While some technicians may opt for lower hourly rates with benefits—especially relevant post-2021 with increased credential requirements—others prefer the flexibility of higher hourly pay without benefits. Negotiation in this sector typically centers around specializations such as endoscope reprocessing, making it crucial for technicians to stay informed of industry trends and expectations.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for sterile processing technicians in Austin. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.22%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for sterile processing technicians (SOC 31-9093).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, CCSVP, a licensed sterile processing technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov