Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Galveston, TX: $43,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Galveston, TX earns a median $43,262/year (≈ $20.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,065 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, sterile processing technicians in Galveston, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $43,262, which reflects a compensation rate that is approximately 9.35% lower than the national median of $47,724. Salaries in this city range from $32,322 at the 10th percentile to as high as $62,884 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance based on factors such as experience, specialization, and shift differentials. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 while factoring in regional cost adjustments. The Galveston market has adapted to a new hiring paradigm that requires credentials post-2021. This shift matches the increasing demand for professionals who meet evolving standards in sterile processing across the healthcare landscape.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,322 | $15.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,281 | $16.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,262 | $20.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,076 | $25.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,884 | $30.23 |
Median Salary Position
9.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,562 (2026 est.). At $43,262, the local median is 9.35% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Galveston median: $43,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $43,132 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -9.35% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Galveston, TX earn a median of $43,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.35% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $43,132.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,262 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,065 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,581
2025 BLS Actual
$41,510
2026 Current Est.
$43,262
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,581 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,765 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,097 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,404 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,371 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,087 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,581 (2019) to $41,510 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,087 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,506 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $32,322 – $35,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,281 – $43,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,262 – $53,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,076 – $62,884 |
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 Galveston
With the employment of just 10 sterile processing technicians in Galveston, the job market reveals a localized demand that underscores the importance of specialized skills. The cost of living index in Galveston is 96, suggesting that the purchasing power of technicians in the area may be more favorable compared to many urban centers, allowing for a reasonable quality of life even with salaries slightly below the national average. Among the various employers, hospital sterile processing departments generally provide higher pay than ambulatory surgery centers and specialty practices, especially for those with advanced credentials like CRCST, CIS, and CER. In this market, evening and overnight shift differentials, as well as roles in trauma center environments, can further elevate earnings. To maximize pay opportunities, technicians should focus on obtaining specialty certifications while considering employment with higher-paying institutions, as the landscape of sterile processing continues to evolve in Galveston, TX.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do sterile processing technicians make in Galveston, TX in 2026?
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Can sterile processing technicians make $100K in Galveston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted sterile processing technician salary in Galveston?
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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 $41,510 for sterile processing techniciansin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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