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.