Central sterilization technician vs sterilizer operator

The differences between central sterilization technicians and sterilizer operators 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 sterilizer operator. Additionally, a sterilizer operator has an average salary of $39,198, 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 sterilizer operator are sops, sterilizers, and GMP.

Central sterilization technician vs sterilizer operator overview

	Central Sterilization Technician	Sterilizer Operator
Yearly salary	$38,089	$39,198
Hourly rate	$18.31	$18.85
Growth rate	8%	7%
Number of jobs	13,053	30,721
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Central sterilization technician vs sterilizer operator salary

Central sterilization technicians and sterilizer operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Central Sterilization Technician	Sterilizer Operator
Average salary	$38,089	$39,198
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $30,000 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 sterilizer operator education

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

	Central Sterilization Technician	Sterilizer Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 32%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Medical Technician	Business
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	SUNY Farmingdale

Central sterilization technician vs sterilizer operator demographics

Here are the differences between central sterilization technicians' and sterilizer operators' demographics:

	Central Sterilization Technician	Sterilizer Operator
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7%	Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7%
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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 9.1% White, 53.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between central sterilization technician and sterilizer operator 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.

Sterilizer operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate logistics for chemical supply, supervise personnel and manage shift changes.
Sterilize and move medical supplies in accordance with GMP, FDA and EPA requirements.
Follow GMP's to comply with FDA, EPA, DEA, and other regulators requirements.
Load and unload freeze dryers.
Assist in repairs and CIP of equipment.
Operate sterilizers ensuring that all controls and printouts are working properly.

Central sterilization technician vs sterilizer operator skills

Common central sterilization technician skills

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

Common sterilizer operator skills

Sops, 12%
Sterilizers, 10%
GMP, 9%
CIP, 7%
APA, 7%
Data Entry, 7%

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Central Sterilization Technician
Central Sterilization Technician vs Sterilizer Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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