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Sterile Processing Tech Salary | Medical Equipment Preparers Job Duties, Education

Sterile processing technicians work to prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (as of 2014), all medical equipment preparers earned an average salary of $33,850 per year and an hourly wage of $16.28 per hour.

In this article, you’ll learn detailed salary statistics for all 50 states for medical equipment preparers, as well as the job duties, education overview, and some of the likes and dislikes of this profession.

Names for Sterile Processing Technicians

Sterile processing techs are sometimes referred to (or closely related to) other job titles, including the following: central processing technician (CPT), central service technician (CSS Technician), certified registered central service technician (CRCST), instrument technician, sterile preparation technician, sterile processing and distribution technician (SPD Technician), medical equipment preparers, or sterile technician.

Sterile Processing Tech Job Duties

Here are some of the common job duties of sterile processing techs:

  • Clean and sterilize surgical equipment and supplies.
  • Examine, operate, and maintain sterilizing machines such as steam autoclaves.
  • Stock surgical tools and supplies
  • Prepare, wrap, and organize equipment into instrument trays for use during medical procedures.
  • Maintain detailed records of sterilization procedures, equipment maintenance, and supplies.
  • Inspect equipment for damage and ensure that supplies have not expired.

Education Requirements for Sterile Processing Techs

To become a sterile processing technician, you’ll first need a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Many employers will provide on-the-job training, but others may prefer to hire individuals with certification. However, many states do not require certification at this time.

Certification courses usually take about 9-12 months to complete, and you will have to take an examination. Some organizations such as the Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) will allow certification if you have at least two years of job experience and pass a written exam.

Certification requirements often change, so you can check with the CBSPD for the latest requirements.

Sterile Processing Tech Pros and Cons

Every career has its advantages and disadvantages, and working as a medical equipment preparer is no different. Do sterile processing techs like their job? Yes, many enjoy their job. Here are some of the likes and dislikes of this career.

Here’s what sterile processing techs like about their job:

  • Some like the solitary nature of the work. It’s a good job for introverted types because you don’t have to deal with quite as many people as other healthcare jobs.
  • It can be fast-paced, which makes it go by faster.
  • There are opportunities for advancement, and it’s a great foundation if you want to go into other careers such as a nursing, surgical tech, and more.

Here’s what sterile processing techs dislike about their job:

  • Some of the sterile carts can be heavy to push, which can be physically difficult or exhausting.
  • There are many different instruments you must learn, and many of these professionals stress the importance of learning these instruments.
  • You may see some blood, tissue, and other things. However, it’s not as much as a surgical tech or other healthcare profession. So if you’re really squeamish, you may want to keep that in mind.

 

Sterile Processing Tech Salary

How much money does a sterile processing tech (or central processing tech) make per hour? How much of an income do they make per year? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, these individuals make an average salary of $ 33,850 and an hourly wage of $16.28. Additional statistics are located below.

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for this occupation:

Employment Employment
RSE
Mean hourly
wage
Mean annual
wage
Wage RSE
50,550 1.7 % $16.28 $33,850 0.4 %

Percentile wage estimates for this occupation:

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $10.72 $12.76 $15.51 $18.63 $23.07
Annual Wage $22,290 $26,540 $32,260 $38,750 $47,980

Industries with the highest levels of employment for central processing techs:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 35,100 0.67 $16.38 $34,070
Outpatient Care Centers 3,660 0.52 $17.16 $35,690
Offices of Physicians 2,890 0.12 $16.55 $34,430
Offices of Dentists 2,380 0.27 $13.08 $27,200
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 900 0.37 $17.65 $36,700

Top paying industries for sterile processing techs:

Industry Employment Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
Management of Companies and Enterprises 50 n/a $23.24 $48,340
Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services 110 0.01 $18.62 $38,740
Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) 40 n/a $18.38 $38,230
Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals 900 0.37 $17.65 $36,700
Outpatient Care Centers 3,660 0.52 $17.16 $35,690

Top paying states for medical equipment preparers:

State Employment Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage
California 6,540 0.43 1.16 $20.78 $43,210
Alaska 90 0.27 0.71 $19.97 $41,540
District of Columbia 200 0.30 0.80 $19.77 $41,110
Massachusetts 1,250 0.38 1.00 $19.49 $40,540
Hawaii 250 0.41 1.08 $18.98 $39,480

Lowest paying states for sterile processing technicians:

State Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage(2)
Puerto Rico $11.15 $23,200
Mississippi $12.13 $25,220
Alabama $12.17 $25,320
Louisiana $12.73 $26,490
South Dakota $12.99 $27,020
West Virginia $13.33 $27,720
Arkansas $13.36 $27,790

Sterile processing tech salary for all 50 states:

Alabama $12.17 $25,320
Alaska $19.97 $41,540
Arizona $17.26 $35,910
Arkansas $13.36 $27,790
California $20.78 $43,210
Colorado $17.68 $36,770
Connecticut $18.11 $37,680
Delaware $17.06 $35,480
District of Columbia $19.77 $41,110
Florida $13.40 $27,860
Georgia $14.76 $30,700
Hawaii $18.98 $39,480
Idaho $13.99 $29,100
Illinois $15.98 $33,250
Indiana $14.86 $30,910
Iowa $15.41 $32,060
Kansas $14.60 $30,370
Kentucky $14.83 $30,840
Louisiana $12.73 $26,490
Maine $15.11 $31,420
Maryland $17.07 $35,510
Massachusetts $19.49 $40,540
Michigan $16.09 $33,470
Minnesota $17.86 $37,150
Mississippi $12.13 $25,220
Missouri $14.49 $30,150
Montana $14.15 $29,440
Nebraska $16.38 $34,080
Nevada $18.66 $38,810
New Hampshire $16.02 $33,320
New Jersey $16.61 $34,550
New Mexico $15.63 $32,500
New York $17.82 $37,060
North Carolina $13.42 $27,910
North Dakota $13.92 $28,950
Ohio $14.88 $30,940
Oklahoma $15.01 $31,220
Oregon $17.49 $36,380
Pennsylvania $16.15 $33,600
Puerto Rico $11.15 $23,200
Rhode Island $17.12 $35,610
South Carolina $14.57 $30,310
South Dakota $12.99 $27,020
Tennessee $13.88 $28,880
Texas $14.88 $30,960
Utah $14.92 $31,040
Vermont $15.94 $33,150
Virginia $14.84 $30,860
Washington $17.54 $36,480
West Virginia $13.33 $27,720
Wisconsin $16.10 $33,480
Wyoming $15.33 $31,890

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Medical Equipment Preparers, on the Internet at bls.gov.

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