Sterile Processing Technician Salary in the United States 2024 

A safer and hygienic environment is substantial, especially in medical centers to ensure a healthy atmosphere for everyone. In this blog post, we will tell you about the Sterile Processing Technician Salary in the United States. The task of keeping the surroundings, particularly the surgery room of the healthcare facilities hygienic is of a sterile processing technician. 

Role of The sterile processing tech is responsible for keeping the pieces of equipment and surgical instruments in the surgery room. It is essential to ensure the safety of patients and staff as well.

Do you wonder what’s the sterile processing technician’s salary? Or do you want to know how to become one? Here’s a complete guide. 

What’s a Sterile Processing Technician? 

A sterile processing technician plays a crucial role in maintaining the hygiene and safety of the medical room, especially the surgical area. They are indirectly providing patient care and ensuring the success of the surgery. 

Average Sterile Processing Technician Salary in the US

The average sterile processing technician salary in the United States is $52,672 or $25.32 per hour. Further, the salary of a sterile processing technician at entry-level positions starts at $42,426/year while most experienced techs make up to even $76,334/year. 

Sterile processing technician salary varies on location, experience, and education. Apart from this industry, work setting, schedule, type of employer, and certifications are factors that affect sterile processing technician salary. 

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Sterile Processing Technician Salary Based on Experience

7 Top-Paying Sterile Processing Technician Salary States

7 Top-Paying Sterile Processing Technician Salary Cities

Sterile Processing Technicians are also known as Central service technicians. They are healthcare professionals who are responsible for preparing, sterilizing, installing, assembling, and cleaning all the laboratory and healthcare equipment required for surgeries, tests, and medical procedures. Along with they practice safety and infection control processes during the phases of the surgery and medical procedures. 

Responsibilities of a Sterile Processing Technician

Central service technicians ensure complete sterilization process is being followed and make sure that the equipment, instruments, and supplies are safe to reuse on patients. These are the major responsibilities and tasks of a sterile processing tech:

1. A Central service technician prepares and operates all required instruments and pieces of equipment according to the safety standard of sterilization. 
2. Besides, disinfecting the used surgical equipment and preparing and packaging all the correct instruments for specific procedures. 
3. Keeping tools and equipment organized and easily accessible for the medical staff before each surgery. 
4. Further, they are responsible for checking and monitoring the equipment and instruments and reporting it the the concerned department.
5. Sterile processing technicians are responsible for laying out surgical gloves and gowns before each medical procedure.
6. Moreover, they maintain records of equipment maintenance, sterilization procedures, sterilized items, and supplies.
7. Apart from taking care of the instruments, central service technicians also transport and track them to other locations, for instance, from the surgery room to the storage area. 

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How to Become a Sterile Processing Tech?

If you want to join the healthcare field, a sterile processing technician is an ideal option. Since it does not require a 4-year degree, it saves you time and money. The basic steps to becoming a sterile processing tech are the same across the country, however, there are certain requirements for every state to follow. 

1. Complete high school: Firstly, you should have a high school diploma. You can complete your degree focused on science, however, this is not mandatory. 
2. Choose a sterile processing technician program: Secondly, you must complete a sterile processing technician program online or offline and pass it with a grade of 70 or higher. Some institutions might need you to pass an entrance test. After that, you may complete the program in any subject such as inventory management, cleaning and disinfection, infection control and prevention, decontamination and sterilization, etc.
3. Complete an internship: You may complete an internship for a few months to gain practical knowledge of the field. 
4. Earn a certification: Earn a certification. You may obtain a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) certification or Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD) credential from the International Association of Healthcare Central Service Material Management (IAHCSMM). This will enter as an entry-level sterile processing technician. 

Some healthcare professionals continue further studies to promote higher positions. You may also consider continuing further studies to gain deeper knowledge and advance to higher roles like sterile processing supervisor, sterile processing technologist, and clinical medical assistant. Further, this makes the rise in the salary of a sterile processing technician. 

Traits of a Sterile Processing Technician

There are certain skills to become an excellent sterile processing tech. These are:

1. Communication: Good communication is especially important to coordinate with surgeons, nurses, and other medical staff. They maintain effective communication with them to offer status reports, schedule equipment repairs, and prepare surgical units for operations.
2. Collaboration: In addition to communication, collaboration is also crucial. Sterile processing technicians collaborate with surgical teams and other healthcare professionals– to prepare the surgical room and sterilize the surgical instruments. They need to work effectively to run surgeries smoothly. 
3. Attention to detail: Further, central service technicians are required to pay attention to even minute details. Missing even a small thing can lead to infections and can risk a patient’s life. They must clean and sterilize equipment very clearly and cautiously. 
4. Problem-solving: During emergencies, central service technicians are required to act smartly and efficiently. They should analyze the risk factors and make decisions about the sterilization, utilization, and distribution of the pieces of equipment. 
5. Basic healthcare skills: Because sterile processing technologists work in hospitals, they are also required to obtain training in basic life support (BLS) and Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) to support emergencies. 

Job Outlook: Sterile Processing Technician Salary

According to the estimates of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of sterile processing technicians is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about average for all other occupations. 

The demand for Central sterilization technicians will remain positive in upcoming years. Perhaps, because of the rise in demand for sterile processing technicians in hospitals, medical centers, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. Moreover, the aging population also demands more healthcare services. 

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