Sterile Processing Technician Salary in Richardson, TX: $43,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time sterile processing technician in Richardson, TX earns a median $43,661/year (≈ $20.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9093). Once you factor in Richardson's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $45,480 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richardson, Texas, the projected median salary for sterile processing technicians is estimated at $43,661 for 2026, reflecting a strategic shift in hiring practices after 2021, when many healthcare systems began requiring credentialed applicants. The salary range in this area spans from $31,280 at the 10th percentile to $63,765 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse earning potential within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and accounting for regional price variations, highlight the competitive nature of sterile processing technician pay in Richardson, despite lagging behind the national median salary of $47,724. The local market's responsiveness to the new credentialing standards indicates a growing acknowledgment of the essential role these technicians play in healthcare settings.
About the Richardson Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($44,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,280 | $15.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,285 | $17.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,661 | $20.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53,558 | $25.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,765 | $30.65 |
Median Salary Position
8.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richardson
In Richardson, TX, the sterile processing technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,485 (2026 est.). At $43,661, the local median is 8.51% below the national median of $47,724.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richardson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richardson Sterile Processing Technician Pay Compares
Richardson median: $43,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richardson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $43,143 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $47,724 | -8.51% less |
Sterile Processing Technicians in Richardson, TX earn a median of $43,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.51% lower than the national median of $47,724 and 1.20% above the Texas state average of $43,143.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richardson 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.
Richardson, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A sterile processing technician earning $43,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,480 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,882
2025 BLS Actual
$41,893
2026 Current Est.
$43,661
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Sterile Processing Technicians in Richardson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.22% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,882 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,076 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,567 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,768 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,763 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,893 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45,503 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richardson metropolitan area, the median sterile processing technician salary grew 27.4% from $32,882 (2019) to $41,893 (2025). At a 4.22% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,503 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,621 (38.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richardson 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) | $31,280 – $37,285 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,285 – $43,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,661 – $53,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $53,558 – $63,765 |
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 Richardson
With 24 sterile processing technicians currently employed in Richardson, the local job market is stable, albeit selective due to the credential requirement that has transformed the hiring process. The cost of living in Richardson, reflected in a CoL index of 96, suggests that while salaries may appear lower than the national average, there’s a favorable purchasing power for residents. Employment opportunities in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and third-party service providers represent the highest paying options, often influenced by factors such as shift differentials and the complexity of surgical trays. Pay disparities can arise from added qualifications such as CRCST + CIS + CER credential stacking or supervisory positions, making it essential for aspiring technicians to consider strategies for increasing their pay potential. Investing in advanced certifications and seeking positions in trauma centers or facilities that offer higher remuneration for specialized skills can significantly enhance one's earnings in this specific Richardson market.
More salary data for Richardson, 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 $41,893 for sterile processing techniciansin the Richardson 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 Richardson 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