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The differences between central sterilization technicians and medical supply 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 medical supply technician. Additionally, a central sterilization technician has an average salary of $38,089, which is higher than the $38,049 average annual salary of a medical supply technician.
The top three skills for a central sterilization technician include sterile processing, patients and sterilizers. The most important skills for a medical supply technician are sterile processing, veterans, and patients.
| Central Sterilization Technician | Medical Supply Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $38,089 | $38,049 |
| Hourly rate | $18.31 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 1% |
| Number of jobs | 13,053 | 79,321 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 29% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
A central sterilization technician is responsible for the cleanliness and sterilization of medical tools and equipment, including proper segregation of disposable items to prevent contamination and possible transmission of infections. Central sterilization technicians assist in providing high-quality patient services by ensuring the efficiency and performance of laboratory equipment and maintaining the adequacy of medical supplies. They also categorize medical equipment and keep them in safe and secure storage. Since central sterilization technicians often work inside a laboratory, they must follow strict safety protocols at all times, especially since they are exposed to chemicals and other fluids.
A medical supply technician works at medical facilities where they are primarily in charge of sterilizing instruments and equipment, delivering in a timely and efficient manner. Part of their job is to run sterile tests according to protocols and health standards, monitor and maintain inventory records, and place orders to ensure adequate stock of medical supplies. There are also instances when they must liaise with suppliers, oversee the shipment of orders, and resolve issues should any arise.
Central sterilization technicians and medical supply technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Central Sterilization Technician | Medical Supply Technician | |
| Average salary | $38,089 | $38,049 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $50,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Turlock, CA | West Haven, CT |
| Highest paying state | California | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | Opelousas General Health System | General Dynamics |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a central sterilization technician and a medical supply technician in terms of educational background:
| Central Sterilization Technician | Medical Supply Technician | |
| Most common degree | Associate Degree, 32% | Bachelor's Degree, 29% |
| Most common major | Medical Technician | Business |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | SUNY Stony Brook |
Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and medical supply technicians' demographics:
| Central Sterilization Technician | Medical Supply Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7% | Male, 62.4% Female, 37.6% |
| 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, 11.7% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |