Sterile Processing Technician Salary (2026): Pay by State and Certification
Updated
Quick answer
Sterile processing technicians (BLS: "medical equipment preparers") earned a median of $22.93 an hour, or $47,700 a year, in 2025 according to O*NET, which uses BLS data. About 76,500 people work in the field, and employment is projected to grow much faster than average through 2034. The highest-paying states by mean wage are California, Washington DC, Alaska, New Jersey and Delaware.
National pay
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median hourly wage (2025) | $22.93 | O*NET / BLS |
| Median annual wage (2025) | $47,700 | O*NET / BLS |
| Employment (2025) | 76,500 | O*NET / BLS |
| Projected openings, 2024 to 2034 | 10,900 a year | O*NET / BLS |
O*NET rates the job's growth outlook as "much faster than average."
Highest-paying states
From the most recent BLS state-level data we could confirm (May 2023, mean annual wage):
| State | Mean annual wage |
|---|---|
| California | $61,780 |
| District of Columbia | $58,830 |
| Alaska | $55,000 |
| New Jersey | $52,480 |
| Delaware | $52,450 |
New Jersey and Delaware are also among the states that legally require certification.
Does CRCST certification raise pay?
BLS doesn't break out pay by certification. In practice, certification matters in three ways: it's legally required to keep the job in seven states, many hospitals require it within a set time after hire even where no law does, and it's usually the prerequisite for lead tech, specialty (like endoscope reprocessing) and supervisor roles that pay more.
How to get started
See how to become a sterile processing technician, or test what you know with a free CRCST practice test.
FAQ
- How much does a sterile processing technician make an hour?
- The 2025 median was $22.93 an hour, according to O*NET using BLS data.
- How much does a sterile processing technician make a year?
- The 2025 median was $47,700 a year. Pay is highest in California, Washington DC, Alaska, New Jersey and Delaware.
- Is sterile processing a good career?
- It has no degree requirement, steady hospital demand and employment growth BLS rates as much faster than average, with a path into lead, specialty and management roles.
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