Sterile Processing Technician Salary in College Station, TX: $44,449 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in College Station, TX earns a median $44,449/year (≈ $21.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in College Station's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $46,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a sterile processing technician salary in College Station, TX, reaches a median of $44,449, placing it slightly below the national median of $47,724. Earnings for this role range from $33,104 at the 10th percentile to $65,017 for the top 90 percent of earners, reflecting a diverse landscape of pay scales influenced by various factors. Notably, the specialization in endoscope reprocessing (CER) can significantly enhance earning potential, given its increasing importance in maintaining patient safety and compliance amid evolving health regulations. These figures are locally informed estimates based on 2025 BLS data with adjustments for regional price differences, establishing a competitive salary structure in College Station.
About the College Station Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,104 | $15.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,272 | $17.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,449 | $21.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,447 | $26.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,017 | $31.26 |
Median Salary Position
6.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,913 (2026 est.). At $44,449, the local median is 6.86% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
College Station median: $44,449/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $43,112 | +3.10% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -6.86% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in College Station, TX earn a median of $44,449 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 3.10% above the Texas state average of $43,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $44,449 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,301 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,475
2025 BLS Actual
$42,649
2026 Current Est.
$44,449
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,475 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,691 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,485 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,534 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,649 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,449 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,325 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,475 (2019) to $42,649 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,325 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,850 (38.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $33,104 – $36,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,272 – $44,449 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,449 – $54,447 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,447 – $65,017 |
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 College Station
With only 19 sterile processing technicians employed in College Station, the local job market demonstrates moderate demand in a setting with a cost of living index of 96, making the purchasing power of these salaries relatively favorable. Employers, particularly those in hospital sterile processing departments, tend to offer higher compensation compared to ambulatory surgery or specialty surgical centers. Factors like shift differentials, especially for evening and overnight surgical tray turnover, contribute to variations in pay. Credential stacking—including CRCST, CIS, and CER—also influences salaries, as more facilities seek certified candidates post-2021's credential requirements. For those looking to maximize their pay, pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles in trauma centers could prove beneficial in this evolving landscape in College Station, TX.
More salary data for College Station, 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
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 $42,649 for sterile processing techniciansin the College Station 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 College Station 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