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Sterile processing technician programs
111 colleges and career schools report sterile processing programs to IPEDS, with 1,964 completions in 2023-24.
Programs listed
118
all states
Middle program cost
$14,477
$12,175 to $17,592, IPEDS
Middle length
8 months
14 certificates, IPEDS
Median pay
$47,700
medical equipment preparers, BLS May 2025
On state WIOA lists
155
programs, U.S. DOL file
Sterile Processing Programs by state
| State | Programs | Completions, 2023-24 | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 4 | 90 | $46,790 |
| California | 8 | 155 | $61,370 |
| Colorado | 4 | 77 | $47,700 |
| Florida | 15 | 219 | $45,890 |
| Illinois | 8 | 118 | $48,050 |
| Indiana | 1 | 20 | $45,210 |
| Kansas | 1 | 4 | $45,280 |
| Louisiana | 6 | 47 | $35,960 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 29 | $58,580 |
| Michigan | 10 | 153 | $45,670 |
| Minnesota | 3 | 82 | $50,070 |
| Missouri | 1 | 29 | $43,480 |
| North Carolina | 3 | 20 | $45,130 |
| New Jersey | 3 | 42 | $50,280 |
| New Mexico | 1 | 36 | $36,720 |
| Nevada | 2 | 21 | $46,640 |
| New York | 2 | 39 | $57,320 |
| Ohio | 7 | 50 | $45,540 |
| Oklahoma | 1 | None reported | $43,460 |
| Oregon | 1 | None reported | $48,890 |
| Pennsylvania | 3 | 94 | $45,820 |
| South Carolina | 2 | 19 | $42,510 |
| Tennessee | 4 | 25 | $46,990 |
| Texas | 8 | 148 | $46,970 |
| Utah | 1 | 16 | $47,980 |
| Virginia | 2 | 2 | $46,580 |
| Washington | 7 | 33 | $58,830 |
| Wisconsin | 6 | 354 | $47,570 |
| West Virginia | 2 | 3 | $44,830 |
Programs counts IPEDS schools. Completions: IPEDS, the schools on the state page. Median pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual.
Sterile processing programs on state WIOA lists: cost and results
| State | Programs | Middle listed cost | Completed | Employed, Q2 | Median quarterly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 8 | $3,725 | 81.5% | 60.1% | $8,927 |
| Colorado (DOL data note) | 3 | $3,160 | 42.2% | Fewer than 3 report it | Fewer than 3 report it |
| Connecticut | 8 | $2,009 | 91.2% | 82.5% | $8,344 |
| Florida | 5 | $4,000 | 66.7% | Fewer than 3 report it | Fewer than 3 report it |
| Indiana | 5 | $2,860 | 80% | Fewer than 3 report it | Fewer than 3 report it |
| Maryland | 6 | $2,195 | 87% | 71.4% | $9,291 |
| Michigan | 13 | $4,010 | 61.5% | 85.4% | $9,237 |
| Minnesota | 3 | $4,815 | 58% | 77.6% | $7,189 |
| North Carolina | 16 | $215 | 74.1% | 80% | $7,051 |
States with 3 or more sterile processing programs on their eligible training provider list and at least one reported result. Completed: of all students who exited. Employed and earnings: the second quarter after exit, from state wage records. Each figure is the middle program of those that report it.
Sterile processing length and pay in detail
- Program length
- Middle 8 months; half take 7 months to 9 months (14 certificate programs reporting a length to IPEDS). Clock-hour programs: 650 to 985 hours, middle 742.
- Pay for medical equipment preparers
- $47,700 a year ($23 an hour), national median, May 2025; the lowest-paid tenth earned under $36,410 (BLS OEWS).
- Programs, cost, length and completions: IPEDS complete data files, 2024-25 collection, read October 8, 2026.
- WIOA results: DOL TrainingProviderResults.gov program file (ETA-9171), read October 8, 2026.
- Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025, read October 8, 2026.
Campus groups with sterile processing programs
- Concorde Career College6 campuses · CA, MO, TN, TX
- Concorde Career Institute4 campuses · FL
- Dorsey College3 campuses · MI
- Pima Medical Institute2 campuses · AZ, CO
- Fortis College1 campus · FL
- Stautzenberger College1 campus · OH
- Tennessee College of Applied Technology1 campus · TN
Campuses offering the program: IPEDS 2024.