Central sterilization technician vs durable medical equipment technician

The differences between central sterilization technicians and durable medical equipment technicians 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 durable medical equipment technician. Additionally, a central sterilization technician has an average salary of $38,089, which is higher than the $37,465 average annual salary of a durable medical equipment technician.

The top three skills for a central sterilization technician include sterile processing, patients and sterilizers. The most important skills for a durable medical equipment technician are durable medical equipment, patients, and DOT.

Central sterilization technician vs durable medical equipment technician overview

	Central Sterilization Technician	Durable Medical Equipment Technician
Yearly salary	$38,089	$37,465
Hourly rate	$18.31	$18.01
Growth rate	8%	16%
Number of jobs	13,053	79,196
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Central sterilization technician vs durable medical equipment technician salary

Central sterilization technicians and durable medical equipment technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Sterilization Technician	Durable Medical Equipment Technician
Average salary	$38,089	$37,465
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $28,000 And $49,000
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 durable medical equipment technician education

There are a few differences between a central sterilization technician and a durable medical equipment technician in terms of educational background:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Durable Medical Equipment Technician
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	Bachelor's Degree, 41%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	SUNY Farmingdale

Central sterilization technician vs durable medical equipment technician demographics

Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and durable medical equipment technicians' demographics:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Durable Medical Equipment Technician
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%	Male, 72.5% Female, 27.5%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 9.5% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between central sterilization technician and durable medical equipment technician 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.

Durable medical equipment technician example responsibilities.

Ensure proper transfer and disposition of medical record to the VA in CHCS are accomplished according to establish policies and procedures.
Provide product training with patients and caretaker staff utilizing manufacturers recommendations.
Provide exceptional customer service to patients, physicians and insurance representatives.
Direct personnel in the implementation of OSHA regulations and inform them of any changes in microbiological control processes for effective sterilization.
Update inventory and customer database information.

Central sterilization technician vs durable medical equipment technician skills

Common central sterilization technician skills

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

Common durable medical equipment technician skills

Durable Medical Equipment, 34%
Patients, 28%
DOT, 6%
Wheel Chair, 3%
Scooters, 3%
Walkers, 2%

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Central Sterilization Technician
Central Sterilization Technician vs Durable Medical Equipment Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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