Central sterilization technician vs can sterilizer

The differences between central sterilization technicians and can sterilizers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a central sterilization technician and a can sterilizer. Additionally, a can sterilizer has an average salary of $91,917, which is higher than the $38,089 average annual salary of a central sterilization technician.

The top three skills for a central sterilization technician include sterile processing, patients and sterilizers. The most important skills for a can sterilizer are OSHA, clean rooms, and medical equipment.

Central sterilization technician vs can sterilizer overview

	Central Sterilization Technician	Can Sterilizer
Yearly salary	$38,089	$91,917
Hourly rate	$18.31	$44.19
Growth rate	8%	8%
Number of jobs	13,053	2,625
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Central sterilization technician vs can sterilizer salary

Central sterilization technicians and can sterilizers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Sterilization Technician	Can Sterilizer
Average salary	$38,089	$91,917
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $59,000 And $141,000
Highest paying City	Turlock, CA	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	Opelousas General Health System	-
Best paying industry	Health Care	-

Differences between central sterilization technician and can sterilizer education

There are a few differences between a central sterilization technician and a can sterilizer in terms of educational background:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Can Sterilizer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 29%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Biomedical Engineering
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Central sterilization technician vs can sterilizer demographics

Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and can sterilizers' demographics:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Can Sterilizer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%	Male, 44.4% Female, 55.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 9.6% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	Black or African American, 15.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 7.8% White, 48.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between central sterilization technician and can sterilizer duties and responsibilities

Central sterilization technician example responsibilities.

Initiate tests and activate steam autoclaves, Sterrad sterilizer, ETO, gas plasma sterilizer, package sealer and cart washer.
Operate all sterilizers and sterilization equipment.
Maintain compliance with various standardization agencies such as AAMI and AORN.
Maintain all statewide OSHA guidelines and all internal policies and procedures of the hospital.
Operate steam, gas (ETO), and other methods of sterilization according to each hospital.
Maintain the cleanliness of work areas as required by completing daily logs and shift duties according to departmental policy.

Can sterilizer example responsibilities.

Coordinate continuing education courses, schedule in office training sessions and manage first aid, CPR and a certifications.
Sterilize instruments, assist doctors in operations, interact with parents and patients on a regular basis
Familiarize with Patterson Eaglesoft software.

Central sterilization technician vs can sterilizer skills

Common central sterilization technician skills

Sterile Processing, 21%
Patients, 21%
Sterilizers, 9%
Customer Service, 6%
Sterrad, 4%
Data Entry, 4%

Common can sterilizer skills

OSHA, 96%
Clean Rooms, 3%
Medical Equipment, 2%

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Central Sterilization Technician
Central Sterilization Technician vs Can Sterilizer

Updated January 8, 2025

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