Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $21.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a sterile processing technician working in San Antonio, TX runs $21.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,113 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,067 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, the sterile processing technician hourly pay is projected to be $21.69 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $22.94. This hourly wage can translate to meaningful earnings for part-time technicians, particularly those working three days a week, as they stand to take home a solid paycheck while benefiting from more flexible schedules. Such positions often involve working in environments like hospital SPD decontamination areas, ambulatory surgery centers, and endoscope reprocessing rooms. The hourly wage range for this profession in San Antonio varies significantly, starting at $17.19 for entry-level positions and extending to $30.35 for more experienced technicians, indicating that those who excel in their roles can earn significantly more in this critical field of healthcare. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026 and reflect the growing demand for trained professionals in sterile processing.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.19 | $137.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.61 | $140.91 |
| Median (P50) | $21.69 | $173.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.15 | $185.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.35 | $242.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $21.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.69/hr, a sterile processing technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $45,111 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,026. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $867.53 | $3,759 | $45,111 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $520.52 | $2,256 | $27,067 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.01 | $1,504 | $18,045 |
Compare SPT, CRCST Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Sterile Processing Technician (San Antonio) | $21.69 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $45,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.47% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.60% above the Texas state average of $43,129.
Sterile Processing Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.69/hr = $27,067/year (purchasing power: $28,577).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,111/year (purchasing power: $47,628).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.23/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.60/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for sterile processing technicians in San Antonio grew 28.9% from $16.15/hr (2019) to $20.81/hr (2025). At a 4.22% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.60/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
When analyzing the financial landscape for sterile processing technicians in San Antonio, the part-time potential becomes clearer. A technician working 24 hours a week could earn around $26,950 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. However, the per diem sterile processing technician pay in San Antonio varies widely; agency workers can command $22-$32 per hour, with specialized roles such as CER-credentialed endoscope reprocessors earning $28-$40 an hour. Travel contracts have also gained popularity, with offers between $1,000 and $1,500 per week emerging in response to industry shortages. Earnings can fluctuate based on workplace type; for instance, hospitals might offer steady hours with benefits, while third-party service providers may feature higher hourly rates but lack job security. For those negotiating their pay in San Antonio, understanding these dynamics is critical, as some may opt for positions with lower hourly rates to receive health insurance or other benefits.
More salary data for San Antonio, 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 San Antonio. 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