Sterile Processing Tech Salary

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in Port Arthur, TX: $17.71 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in Port Arthur, TX runs $17.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,824 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against Port Arthur's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $18.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,098 per year.

$36,824
Median Annual Salary
$17.71/hr
Hourly Rate
$28,121
Entry Level (P10)
$52,991
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Rate in Port Arthur, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Port Arthur, TX sterile processing technician hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Port Arthur, the hourly pay for sterile processing technicians is projected to be $17.71 in 2026, significantly below the national median of $22.94. This pay scale reflects the local demand for skilled workers in healthcare settings, including hospital SPD decontamination and assembly rooms, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing areas. For part-time workers, specifically those who work three days a week, this translates to a monthly income that can still provide a decent living, while per-diem positions offer more variability. Entry-level technicians may see hourly rates beginning around $13.52, whereas experienced professionals at the high end of the scale can earn up to $25.47. It’s important to recognize that these hourly rates are based on estimated averages derived from annual salary data.

About the Port Arthur Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$13.52$108.14
Lower Range (P25)$14.64$117.14
Median (P50)$17.71$141.66
Upper Range (P75)$21.52$172.17
Top Earners (P90)$25.47$203.77

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Arthur

Based on $17.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a sterile processing technician in Port Arthur earning $17.71/hr would make approximately $21,248 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $36,831 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$21,248Reduced (32 hr/wk)$28,331Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$36,831

At $17.71/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Arthur, TX can expect to earn approximately $36,831 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,248. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Arthur.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$141.66
per 8hr shift
$708.28
per week
$3,069
per month
$36,831
per year

Schedule Comparison in Port Arthur

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$708.28$3,069$36,831
Part-Time (24 hrs)$424.97$1,842$22,098
Per Diem (16 hrs)$283.31$1,228$14,732

Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Sterile Processing Technician (Port Arthur)$17.71
Surgical Technologist (National Avg)$29.34
Medical Assistant (National Avg)$20.14
Phlebotomist (National Avg)$20.36
Nursing Assistant (National Avg)$18.86
Horizontal bar chart comparing sterile processing technician median salary in Port Arthur ($36,824) with Texas average ($43,119) and the US national median ($47,724).Port Arthur$36,824Texas Avg$43,119-14.60%US National$47,724-22.84%

Sterile Processing Technicians in Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $36,824 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.84% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 14.60% below the Texas state average of $43,119.

Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $17.71/hr = $22,098/year (purchasing power: $23,019).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,831/year (purchasing power: $38,365).

CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2019 BLS Actual

$13.34/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$16.99/hr

2026 Current Est.

$17.71/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+38.4%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Port Arthur (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur. Baseline $13.34/hr in 2025, projected to $18.45/hr by 2027.$12$14$17$19$222019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$13.34$13.82$13.61$14.77$16.13$20.57$16.99$17.71$18.45
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$13.34/hrActual
2020$13.82/hrActual
2021$13.61/hrActual
2022$14.77/hrActual
2023$16.13/hrActual
2024$20.57/hrActual
2025$16.99/hrActual
2026(current)$17.71/hrEstimated
2027$18.45/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur grew 27.4% from $13.34/hr (2019) to $16.99/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.45/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Port Arthur metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Port Arthur

Examining part-time earning potential reveals that a sterile processing technician working 24 hours a week could take home around $27,285 annually, which is considerably lesser than the income of a full-time counterpart. Per-diem workers typically command higher hourly rates, with some billing between $22 and $32 for their services, particularly in high-demand specialties such as endoscope reprocessing, where agency placements can yield $28-$40 hourly. In Port Arthur, variations in hourly rates also exist depending on the type of employer, with hospital SPD roles likely offering more structured benefits, while agency and contract positions may provide flexibility but lacking in health insurance. Some technicians might prefer the insurance and other benefits tied to a lower hourly rate, weighing those options carefully based on personal needs. For those looking to negotiate hourly pay, it’s advisable to highlight any certifications, such as CRCST or CER, which reflect a commitment to professional development and align with state trends toward credential-required hiring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur is $17.71/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.22% annual growth). Rates range from $13.52 at entry level (10th percentile) to $25.47 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 22.8% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time sterile processing technicians make in Port Arthur?

A part-time sterile processing technician working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Port Arthur earns approximately $1,842/month, or $22,098/year at the median hourly rate of $17.71. Many sterile processing technicians prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur paid hourly or salary?

The majority of sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur are paid hourly at a median rate of $17.71/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $36,831/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time sterile processing technician make per year in Port Arthur?

A full-time sterile processing technician working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Port Arthur earns approximately $36,831/year at the median hourly rate of $17.71. This is 22.8% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $52,980/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do sterile processing technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Port Arthur?

Part-time and per diem sterile processing technicians in Port Arthur sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $25.47/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Texas

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

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 Port Arthur. 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 Port Arthur is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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