Sterile Processing Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical and surgical facilities. Includes instruction in sterilization; infection control; decontamination; and surgical instrumentation processing, distribution, and record-keeping.
- Schools offering
- 3
- Annual completions
- 1
- Typical degree level
- Associate's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $70k
About this major
A program that prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments, equipment, and supplies for use in operating rooms and other medical and surgical facilities. Includes instruction in sterilization; infection control; decontamination; and surgical instrumentation processing, distribution, and record-keeping.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health specialties teachers, postsecondary | $106k | +17.3% | Doctoral or professional degree |
| Surgical technologists | $63k | +4.5% | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| Medical equipment preparers | $46k | +10.0% | High school diploma or equivalent |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$70k
Associate's vs Bachelor's — early-career earnings
Associate's
$57k
Bachelor's
$78k
Top colleges for Sterile Processing Technology/Technician
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stark State College | North Canton, OH | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Chester Career College | CHESTER, VA | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Herzing University-Nashville | Nashville, TN | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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