Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Austin, TX: $49,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Austin, TX earns a median $49,295/year (≈ $23.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $50,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.3% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Austin, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $49,295, which is slightly above the national median of $47,724, highlighting a positive trend in local pay. With salaries ranging from $38,220 at the 10th percentile to $75,969 at the 90th percentile, many professionals in this field benefit from evening and overnight shift differentials that contribute to higher compensation. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that job opportunities in Austin's healthcare sector remain robust, driven by the city's growing population and the increasing complexity of surgical procedures requiring comprehensive sterile processing solutions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,295 | $23.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,782 | $29.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,969 | $36.52 |
Median Salary Position
3.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,749 (2026 est.). At $49,295, the local median is 3.29% above the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Austin median: $49,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $43,128 | +14.30% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | +3.29% more |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Austin, TX earn a median of $49,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $47,724 and 14.30% above the Texas state average of $43,128.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $49,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,267 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,110
2025 BLS Actual
$47,299
2026 Current Est.
$49,295
2019–2027 Growth
+50.6%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,460 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,500 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,375 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 38.7% from $34,110 (2019) to $47,299 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,265 (50.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $38,220 – $39,060 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,060 – $49,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,295 – $61,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,782 – $75,969 |
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 Austin
The local job market for sterile processing technicians is solid, with approximately 370 individuals employed in the Austin area. The cost of living index stands at 98.066, suggesting that residents enjoy a slightly lower cost of living compared to the national average, thereby enhancing their purchasing power from salaries. Among local employers, large hospital sterile processing departments often provide the best compensation packages, especially for those with advanced certifications such as CRCST, CIS, or CER. Factors such as shift differentials for evening work, specialized skills, and leadership positions contribute to the significant range in salaries within this field. To maximize earning potential in Austin, technicians should consider acquiring additional certifications, seek employment in high-paying healthcare settings, and gain experience with trauma center operations or complex surgical procedures.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Austin?
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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
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 $47,299 for sterile processing techniciansin the Austin 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
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