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Central sterilization technician vs sterile preparation technician

The differences between central sterilization technicians and sterile preparation 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 sterile preparation technician. Additionally, a sterile preparation technician has an average salary of $43,124, 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 sterile preparation technician are chemotherapy, , and .

Central sterilization technician vs sterile preparation technician overview

Central Sterilization TechnicianSterile Preparation Technician
Yearly salary$38,089$43,124
Hourly rate$18.31$20.73
Growth rate8%-
Number of jobs13,05311,057
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 33%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Central sterilization technician vs sterile preparation technician salary

Central sterilization technicians and sterile preparation technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Central Sterilization TechnicianSterile Preparation Technician
Average salary$38,089$43,124
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $50,000Between $25,000 And $74,000
Highest paying CityTurlock, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyOpelousas General Health System-
Best paying industryHealth Care-

Differences between central sterilization technician and sterile preparation technician education

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

Central Sterilization TechnicianSterile Preparation Technician
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 32%High School Diploma, 33%
Most common majorMedical TechnicianPharmacy
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillHoward University

Central sterilization technician vs sterile preparation technician demographics

Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and sterile preparation technicians' demographics:

Central Sterilization TechnicianSterile Preparation Technician
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 39.3% Female, 60.7%Male, 100.0% Female, 0.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage9%9%

Differences between central sterilization technician and sterile preparation 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.
    • Show more

Sterile preparation technician example responsibilities.

  • Sterilize instruments, assist doctors in operations, interact with parents and patients on a regular basis
  • Handle multiple centrifuges to spin down, and then as well pour off and separate specimens to their correct department.

Central sterilization technician vs sterile preparation technician skills

Common central sterilization technician skills
  • Sterile Processing, 21%
  • Patients, 21%
  • Sterilizers, 9%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Sterrad, 4%
  • Data Entry, 4%
Common sterile preparation technician skills
  • Chemotherapy, 100%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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