Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Plano, TX: $45,052 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Plano, TX earns a median $45,052/year (≈ $21.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Plano's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $46,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plano, TX, the projected compensation for sterile processing technicians in 2026 stands at a median annual salary of $45,052, slightly below the national median of $47,724. The local salary range varies significantly, from $32,123 at the lower tenth percentile to as high as $67,096 for those in the 90th percentile. These estimations, based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for the regional cost of living, reflect a modest 4.22% growth in the sector. Evening and overnight shifts, which require quick turnover of surgical trays, often yield higher shift differentials, contributing to variations in compensation across different job settings. The dynamic healthcare landscape in Plano highlights opportunities in both hospital sterile processing departments and specialty centers, where demand for qualified technicians remains strong.
About the Plano Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,123 | $15.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,906 | $17.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,052 | $21.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,663 | $26.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,096 | $32.26 |
Median Salary Position
5.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Plano
In Plano, TX, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,973 (2026 est.). At $45,052, the local median is 5.6% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Plano: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Plano Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Plano median: $45,052/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Plano Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $43,112 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -5.60% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Plano, TX earn a median of $45,052 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.60% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 4.50% above the Texas state average of $43,112.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Plano 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.
Plano, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $45,052 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,930
2025 BLS Actual
$43,228
2026 Current Est.
$45,052
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Plano (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,637 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,035 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,125 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,228 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,052 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,953 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Plano metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $33,930 (2019) to $43,228 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,953 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,023 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Plano 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) | $32,123 – $35,906 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,906 – $45,052 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,052 – $55,663 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,663 – $67,096 |
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 Plano
In terms of employment conditions, there are currently 57 sterile processing technicians in Plano, with a cost-of-living index of 96, suggesting that the purchasing power in the area may be better than in many higher-cost regions. Competitive employers include local hospitals and private ambulatory surgery centers, where specialized roles and skill certifications—like CRCST, CIS, and CER—can command better pay. The pay disparity in Plano results from various factors, including shift differentials for those working late nights and weekends, as well as variations in roles from straightforward instrument processing to supervisory positions. To optimize earning potential, technicians may consider developing specialty credentials and seeking out employment in trauma centers or through third-party processing service providers, which typically offer higher salaries to attract skilled professionals.
More salary data for Plano, 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 $43,228 for sterile processing techniciansin the Plano 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 Plano 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