Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Texarkana, AR: $38,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Texarkana, AR earns a median $38,296/year (≈ $18.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $44,069 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Texarkana, Arkansas are projected to earn a median annual salary of $38,296, significantly lower than the national median of $47,724. Salaries in this field can range from $31,331 at the 10th percentile to $54,846 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied levels of experience and credentialing within the workforce. These figures, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, indicate a continued demand for qualified technicians amid a landscape that has shifted towards credential-required hiring since 2021. For those entering the field or advancing their careers, understanding this market context is crucial for making informed decisions about job opportunities in Texarkana.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,331 | $15.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,036 | $15.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,296 | $18.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,704 | $22.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54,846 | $26.37 |
Median Salary Position
19.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,515 (2026 est.). At $38,296, the local median is 19.76% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Texarkana Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $38,296/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $39,808 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $47,724 | -19.76% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $38,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.76% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.80% below the Arkansas state average of $39,808.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $38,296 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,069 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$28,841
2025 BLS Actual
$36,745
2026 Current Est.
$38,296
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,841 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,889 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,442 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,954 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $28,841 (2019) to $36,745 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,071 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,331 – $33,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,036 – $38,296 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,296 – $46,704 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,704 – $54,846 |
SPT, CRCST salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual sterile processing technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Sterile Processing Technician Job Market in Texarkana
In Texarkana, the job market for sterile processing technicians is relatively modest, with only seven professionals working in the area. A cost of living index of 86.9 suggests that while salaries may appear lower compared to national figures, the purchasing power for local technicians is stronger. Employers such as hospital sterile processing departments and large multi-doctor dental specialty practices typically offer the highest pay. Variations in salaries arise from factors like shift differentials for evening and overnight duties, credential stacking (including CRCST, CIS, and CER), and the distinction between employment in hospitals versus ambulatory surgery centers. Those aiming to maximize their pay in Texarkana should consider acquiring multiple certifications, seeking overtime opportunities, or exploring roles in more specialized settings where higher compensation is possible.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Texarkana, AR in 2026?
Is Texarkana, AR a good place to work as a sterile processing technician?
Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Texarkana?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Texarkana?
How much does a sterile processing technician make per hour in Texarkana?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $36,745 for sterile processing techniciansin the Texarkana metropolitan area. A 4.22% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Texarkana 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