How long does sterile processing technician training take in Texas?

Most people become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas through a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas (2026)

Q: How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Texas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Texas earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,970. Employment concentration in Texas is roughly 0.65 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in Texas?

Texas currently employs approximately 4,520 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Texas medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $46,970 ($22.58/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,520 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.5% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,970 ($22.58/hr)
25th percentile: $38,120 per year
75th percentile: $58,400 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $69,950 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,390 per year
Workers employed in Texas: 4,520
Versus national median: -1.5% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.65 - this occupation is less concentrated in Texas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Texas employs about 4,520 sterile processing technicians earning a median $46,970 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Sterile Processing Technician here means completing a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Texas employs approximately 4,520 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,970 ¹. Nationally, sterile processing technician employment is projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: sterile-processing program or OJT (find programs)
Typical timeline: a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role
Exam: HSPA CRCST
Median wage (Texas): $46,970 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas

How to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas? Complete a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Texas? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Texas? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Texas is $46,970 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,390 and experienced professionals can earn $69,950 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Texas

Complete a sterile-processing program or OJT. Finish a program or documented on-the-job training. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CRCST. Pass the HSPA CRCST exam. Confirm any state registration with the employer.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Sterile Processing Technician License Requirements in Texas

Sterile-processing technicians typically earn CRCST. Some states add registration.

Typical path

Complete training.
Earn CRCST.
Register if the state requires it.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Sterile Processing Technician Wages by Metro Area in Texas

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Texas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical equipment preparers wages in Texas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands	1,270	$47,270	$50,170	$37,230	$72,700
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington	1,210	$50,300	$55,060	$38,140	$83,180
San Antonio-New Braunfels	390	$45,090	$46,420	$35,740	$63,090
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos	370	$49,270	$53,200	$38,200	$75,930
Lubbock	120	$39,580	$43,140	$32,330	$59,290
Tyler	120	$44,590	$47,260	$32,370	$78,450
El Paso	90	$41,620	$43,790	$31,390	$63,380
Corpus Christi	80	$36,320	$38,620	$31,540	$48,590
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission	80	$37,990	$39,260	$29,730	$47,150
Beaumont-Port Arthur	60	$35,980	$40,140	$34,100	$47,390
Longview	50	$35,780	$39,250	$31,660	$45,990
Amarillo	40	$45,010	$42,770	$32,920	$55,370

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in Texas? Texas currently employs approximately 4,520 sterile processing technicians ¹. Nationally, sterile processing technician employment is projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a sterile processing technician in Texas with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

What training programs are available in Texas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Texas.

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Texas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Texas is $46,970, which is $480 above the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)