Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $22.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Houston, TX runs $22.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,294 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,381 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houston, sterile processing technicians are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $22.74 in 2026, which sits just below the national median of $22.94. This compensation is significant for part-time workers, especially those operating on a three-day workweek, who can earn a stable income while balancing their professional and personal lives. Per-diem sterile processing technician pay in Houston offers even more flexibility, with technicians often working in settings such as hospital SPD decontamination rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing areas. The hourly pay for these professionals can range from $17.90 for entry-level positions to $34.97 for those at the top of their field, providing a valuable opportunity for growth and advancement in this critical healthcare sector. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.90 | $143.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.49 | $147.91 |
| Median (P50) | $22.74 | $181.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.44 | $227.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.97 | $279.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $22.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.74/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $47,301 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,289. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $909.63 | $3,942 | $47,301 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $545.78 | $2,365 | $28,381 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $363.85 | $1,577 | $18,920 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (Houston) | $22.74 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $47,294 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.90% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 9.70% above the Texas state average of $43,112.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.74/hr = $28,381/year (purchasing power: $28,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,301/year (purchasing power: $47,958).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.18/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Houston grew 27.0% from $17.18/hr (2019) to $21.82/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.70/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 Houston 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 Houston
Exploring the earning potential of part-time sterile processing technicians reveals an interesting dynamic. For those working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, annual income can reach a substantial amount when considering hourly pay in Houston. Meanwhile, per-diem and agency technicians can command approximately $22 to $32 per hour, with certified endoscope reprocessors sometimes earning as much as $28 to $40 per hour in agency positions. The landscape of hourly rates varies widely among different employer types in the area, from hospital sterile processing departments to specialty surgical centers and even dental practices. While some technicians may opt for slightly lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others prefer the flexibility of higher pay without the same level of job security. Understanding the benefits and trade-offs can empower technicians, especially with practical negotiation tactics when entering the field. Credential qualifications, such as those from the HSPA, remain crucial, particularly in a post-2021 hiring environment that emphasizes certified expertise in sterile processing.
More salary data for Houston, 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 Houston. 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