How much does a sterile processing technician make?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), the median annual wage for medical equipment preparers — the BLS category for sterile processing technicians — was $47,700, or $22.93 per hour. The top 10% of techs earned more than $69,950 a year.
How much do sterile processing techs make per hour?
The median hourly wage was $22.93 as of May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned under $17.50 per hour and the highest 10% earned more than $33.63 per hour — before shift differentials for evenings, nights, and weekends.
What is the starting salary for a sterile processing technician?
BLS doesn't publish a specific 'starting' wage, but the lower percentiles are a reasonable guide for entry-level pay: as of May 2025, the 10th percentile annual wage was $36,410 and the 25th percentile was $39,800. Where you land depends heavily on your region, facility, shift, and whether you're certified.
Is sterile processing a growing career?
Yes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of medical equipment preparers to grow 10 percent from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the average for all occupations — adding about 7,600 new jobs.
Which states near ATS pay sterile processing techs the most?
Of the states where most ATS students live, New York had the highest median annual wage at $57,320 as of May 2025, followed by Delaware ($53,300), New Jersey ($50,280), Minnesota ($50,070), and Pennsylvania ($45,820), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Does certification increase a sterile processing technician's salary?
Certification like the CRCST doesn't come with an automatic raise, but it changes which jobs you can get. Many hospitals require or strongly prefer certified techs, certification is the usual gateway to lead, specialty, and educator roles higher up the pay scale, and some states are moving toward requiring it. ATS is an independent training provider and is not affiliated with HSPA.
