Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Galveston, TX: $20.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Galveston, TX runs $20.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,262 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Galveston's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,961 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician in Galveston, TX, can expect an hourly median pay of $20.80. This figure is below the national hourly median of $22.94, reflecting local market dynamics. For part-time workers, particularly those operating on a three-day-a-week schedule, this median translates to approximately $1,664 monthly, equating to about $19,968 annually. Such roles typically exist within hospital sterile processing departments, ambulatory surgery centers, and other medical facilities, encompassing various tasks from instrument decontamination to sterilization. Entry-level technicians can earn an hourly wage as low as $15.54, while more experienced professionals may see hourly rates soar to $30.23, allowing top earners to achieve compensation competitive with national standards despite the local cost of living index being slightly below average at 96.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.54 | $124.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.96 | $135.65 |
| Median (P50) | $20.80 | $166.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.51 | $204.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.23 | $241.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Galveston
Based on $20.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.80/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Galveston, TX can expect to earn approximately $43,269 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,963. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Galveston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Galveston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $832.09 | $3,606 | $43,269 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $499.26 | $2,163 | $25,961 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $332.84 | $1,442 | $17,308 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Galveston) | $20.80 |
| 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 Galveston, TX earn a median of $43,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.35% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $43,132.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.80/hr = $25,961/year (purchasing power: $27,043).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,269/year (purchasing power: $45,072).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.80/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Galveston grew 27.4% from $15.67/hr (2019) to $19.96/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.68/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 Galveston 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 Galveston
Shifting to the broader earning potential, those working as per-diem sterile processing technicians can earn higher rates, often billed between $22 and $32 per hour, depending on demand and immediate need. Credential stacking, especially with the recent emphasis on Certified Endoscope Reprocessing (CER), positions these workers to command premiums that can reach $40 per hour in agency settings. For full-time technicians, the commitment to join a hospital's SPD often includes the trade-off of lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, which many part-time or contract technicians forego. When considering employment options in Galveston, it’s essential to navigate rates across various employers — like specialty surgical centers and third-party service providers — as these disparities can influence one’s long-term earning trajectory. Additionally, those interested in salary negotiations should emphasize their credentials and any relevant experience, particularly in a market where the demand remains high.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Galveston in 2026?
How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Galveston?
Are sterile processing technicians in Galveston paid hourly or salary?
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Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Galveston?
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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 Galveston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Galveston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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