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Central sterilization technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a central sterilization technician. Central sterilization technicians usually study medical technician, business, or nursing. 32% of central sterilization technicians hold a associate degree, and 21% hold an bachelor's degree. We analyzed 1,350 real central sterilization technician resumes to see exactly what central sterilization technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for central sterilization technicians are the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa.

There are also many online central sterilization technician courses to help get the education required to be a central sterilization technician.

There are certain central sterilization technician certifications that you should consider. These central sterilization technician certifications include Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRSCT) and Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM).

What education do you need to become a central sterilization technician?

What degree do you need to be a central sterilization technician?

The most common degree for central sterilization technicians is associate degree, with 32% of central sterilization technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are bachelor's degree degree at 21% and bachelor's degree degree at 21%.
  • Associate, 32%
  • Bachelor's, 21%
  • High School Diploma, 21%
  • Diploma, 13%
  • Other Degrees, 13%

What should I major in to become a central sterilization technician?

You should major in medical technician to become a central sterilization technician. 28% of central sterilization technicians major in medical technician. Other common majors for a central sterilization technician include business and nursing.

Most common colleges for central sterilization technicians

Central sterilization technicians often get their degrees at University of Iowa, Purdue University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for central sterilization technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Central sterilization technician common collegePercentages
University of Iowa10.00%
Purdue University10.00%
University of Phoenix6.67%
San Joaquin Valley College5.00%
ECPI University5.00%

Best majors for central sterilization technicians

Best colleges for central sterilization technicians

The best colleges for central sterilization technicians are New York University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and George Washington University, The.

A central sterilization technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for central sterilization technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become central sterilization technicians.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,610

Enrollment

40,329

3. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

4. University of Connecticut

Storrs, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$15,730

Enrollment

18,830

5. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Enrollment

58,392

6. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

7. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

8. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

9. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

10. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

20 best online courses for central sterilization technicians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for central sterilization technicians

The most affordable schools for central sterilization technicians are Brigham Young University, suny farmingdale, and minot state university.

If the best universities for central sterilization technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for central sterilization technicians.

1. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

2. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

3. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

6. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

7. University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,368

Cost of attendance

21,034

8. York College of the City University of New York

Jamaica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,158

Cost of attendance

14,204

9. Louisiana State University at Alexandria

Alexandria, LA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,668

Cost of attendance

14,488

10. Baptist Memorial College of Health Sciences

Memphis, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$11,900

Cost of attendance

21,002

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for central sterilization technicians

The hardest universities for central sterilization technicians to get into are New York University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and George Washington University, The.

Some great schools for central sterilization technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for central sterilization technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

3. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

4. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

5. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,326

6. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,307

7. University of Texas at Austin

Austin, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,367

8. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,365

9. Saint Louis University

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,304

10. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

Admissions rate

49%

SAT average

1,347

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for central sterilization technicians

The easiest schools for central sterilization technicians to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, adventhealth university, and d'youville college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a central sterilization technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for central sterilization technicians.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. AdventHealth University

Orlando, FL • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,016

3. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

6. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

7. Midwestern State University

Wichita Falls, TX • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,033

8. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

Average central sterilization technician salary by education level

According to our data, central sterilization technicians with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $46,518 annually. Central sterilization technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $42,304.
Central sterilization technician education levelCentral sterilization technician salary
Master's Degree$46,518
High School Diploma or Less$38,131
Bachelor's Degree$42,304
Some College/ Associate Degree$39,854

Central sterilization technician education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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