Healthcare career

Sterile Processing Technician

Also called: Central Sterile Technician · SPD Technician · Surgical Instrument Technician · Medical Equipment Preparer

What sterile processing technicians do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
What does a sterile processing technician do?

Sterile processing technicians decontaminate, inspect, assemble and sterilize surgical instruments and medical devices, and track them so every procedure has safe, complete trays. The median pay is $47,700 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 3–12 months, and employment is projected to grow +10.8% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

  • Median pay
    $47,700
    $22.93/hour · May 2025
  • Job growth
    +10.8%
    2025–35, much faster than average
  • Openings per year
    10,700
    Average, 2025–35
  • Typical entry education
    High school diploma or equivalent
    BLS classification
  • Time to train
    3–12 months
    Typical program length
  • U.S. jobs
    79,900
    Employment, 2025

What sterile processing technicians do

Behind every operating room is a sterile processing department. Sterile processing technicians collect used instruments, clean and decontaminate them, inspect each piece for damage, assemble trays according to count sheets, package them and run sterilizers. They also test sterilizers, track loads and make sure surgeons have what they need when cases start.

Most employers hire people with a high school diploma and train them, but certificate programs and the CRCST credential help applicants stand out, and some states require certification. The job is a good entry point into healthcare for people who like detailed, hands-on work without direct patient care.

Typical duties

  • Collect and decontaminate used instruments and devices
  • Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function and damage
  • Assemble instrument trays using count sheets
  • Package and label items for sterilization
  • Operate steam and low-temperature sterilizers
  • Run and document biological and chemical indicator tests
  • Prepare case carts and track inventory

Work environment and schedule

Technicians work in hospital sterile processing departments, surgery centers and dental and specialty clinics. The decontamination area is hot, wet and noisy and requires PPE; the clean side is quieter. The work involves standing and lifting trays.

Schedule: Hospitals run sterile processing around the clock, so day, evening and night shifts and weekends are common.

A day in the life

  1. Start in decontamination, putting on PPE and sorting returned instrument sets.
  2. Load washer-disinfectors and ultrasonic cleaners, following each item’s instructions for use.
  3. Inspect clean instruments under magnification and test scissors and clamps.
  4. Assemble orthopedic trays with the count sheet and wrap them for sterilization.

See a full day in the life of a sterile processing technician →

Sterile Processing Technician salary

Half of sterile processing technicians earned more than $47,700 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,410 for the lowest 10% to $69,950 for the top 10%.

Full sterile processing technician pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a sterile processing technician

  1. Finish high school or a GED
  2. Complete training
  3. Log hands-on hours
  4. Pass the certification exam
  5. Advance

A high school diploma is typical. Many technicians complete a sterile processing certificate program, often a few months long, and gain the hands-on hours needed to certify. Employers frequently train new hires on the job.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a sterile processing technician →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

  • Decontamination procedures
  • Instrument identification
  • Tray assembly and count sheets
  • Sterilizer operation
  • Sterilization quality testing

People skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Reliability
  • Teamwork
  • Ability to work under time pressure

All sterile processing technician skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Healthcare job without direct patient care
  • Quick training and certification
  • Steady demand wherever surgery happens
  • Clear path to lead and supervisor roles

Cons

  • Hot, wet decontamination work in heavy PPE
  • Standing and lifting heavy trays
  • High pressure when the OR is waiting
  • Little room for error

Certifications and licenses

  • Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST): HSPA credential that requires an exam and 400 hours of hands-on experience.
  • Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT): CBSPD credential recognized by many hospitals.
  • Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS): An advanced HSPA credential focused on instruments.
  • Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL): An HSPA leadership credential for supervisors.

Career path

  1. Sterile Processing Trainee: Learn decontamination and tray assembly.
  2. Certified Sterile Processing Technician: Work all areas of the department.
  3. Lead Technician or Instrument Specialist: Train others and handle complex instrumentation.
  4. SPD Supervisor, Educator or Manager: Run department operations and quality programs.

Learn the job before day one

Our Sterile Processing Technician training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as decontaminate surgical instruments and assemble and wrap an instrument tray, safety and how to land your first job.

View Sterile Processing Technician trainingIs this career right for me?

Surgical Technologist

Prepare the operating room, keep the sterile field and pass instruments to surgeons.

  • $64,650
  • 12–24 months

Medical Assistant

Room patients, take vitals, give injections and keep clinic records accurate.

  • $45,690
  • 9–12 months

Compare: Sterile Processing Tech vs. Surgical Tech · Sterile Processing Tech vs. Medical Assistant · Sterile Processing Tech vs. CNA · Sterile Processing Tech vs. Biomed Technician

Sterile Processing Technician FAQ

Do sterile processing techs work with patients?

No. They work behind the scenes, but their work directly protects patients from infection.

How long does it take to get certified?

Many people finish a course in a few months and earn the CRCST after completing 400 hands-on hours.

Is sterile processing a good job?

It is a stable entry point into healthcare with clear advancement, especially for detail-oriented people.

How much does a sterile processing technician make?

The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians was $47,700 ($22.93 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,410 and the highest 10% earned more than $69,950.

How long does it take to become a sterile processing technician?

Most people need about 3–12 months of training. A high school diploma is typical. Many technicians complete a sterile processing certificate program, often a few months long, and gain the hands-on hours needed to certify. Employers frequently train new hires on the job.

Do you need a degree to be a sterile processing technician?

No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.

More sterile processing technician questions →

Sources

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

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