Central sterilization technician vs oxygen equipment preparer

The differences between central sterilization technicians and oxygen equipment preparers 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 an oxygen equipment preparer. Additionally, an oxygen equipment preparer has an average salary of $47,140, 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 an oxygen equipment preparer are autoclaves, sterilizers, and patient care.

Central sterilization technician vs oxygen equipment preparer overview

	Central Sterilization Technician	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Yearly salary	$38,089	$47,140
Hourly rate	$18.31	$22.66
Growth rate	8%	-
Number of jobs	13,053	20,048
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Central sterilization technician vs oxygen equipment preparer salary

Central sterilization technicians and oxygen equipment preparers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Sterilization Technician	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Average salary	$38,089	$47,140
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $25,000 And $86,000
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 oxygen equipment preparer education

There are a few differences between a central sterilization technician and an oxygen equipment preparer in terms of educational background:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Pennsylvania

Central sterilization technician vs oxygen equipment preparer demographics

Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and oxygen equipment preparers' demographics:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%	Male, 66.7% Female, 33.3%
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, 17.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between central sterilization technician and oxygen equipment preparer 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.

Oxygen equipment preparer example responsibilities.

Conduct hydrostatic tests of CO2 and mix gas cylinders.
Demonstrate proper PPE and follow sterilization procedures for individual instruments and various hospital equipment.
Adhere to all rules and regulations impose by the FDA to successfully pass monthly audits and inspections.

Central sterilization technician vs oxygen equipment preparer skills

Common central sterilization technician skills

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

Common oxygen equipment preparer skills

Autoclaves, 79%
Sterilizers, 13%
Patient Care, 8%

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Central Sterilization Technician
Central Sterilization Technician vs Oxygen Equipment Preparer

Updated January 8, 2025

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