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The differences between sterile technicians and central sterilization 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 sterile technician and a central sterilization technician. Additionally, a central sterilization technician has an average salary of $38,089, which is higher than the $35,347 average annual salary of a sterile technician.
The top three skills for a sterile technician include patients, aseptic technique and patient care. The most important skills for a central sterilization technician are sterile processing, patients, and sterilizers.
| Sterile Technician | Central Sterilization Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $35,347 | $38,089 |
| Hourly rate | $16.99 | $18.31 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 30,250 | 13,053 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 27% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
In the medical industry, a sterile technician is in charge of cleaning and sterilizing surgical and medical tools and devices. They must also operate and organize equipment, monitor the inventory of supplies, maintain official records, coordinate with staff, transport supplies, and keep the cleanliness of different operating areas, decontaminating them to maintain a safe and healthy workflow. Furthermore, a sterile technician must set-up and prepare equipment for procedures, all while adhering to the facility's safety policies and regulations.
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.
Sterile technicians and central sterilization technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Sterile Technician | Central Sterilization Technician | |
| Average salary | $35,347 | $38,089 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $28,000 And $50,000 |
| Highest paying City | Daly City, CA | Turlock, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Zoetis | Opelousas General Health System |
| Best paying industry | Pharmaceutical | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a sterile technician and a central sterilization technician in terms of educational background:
| Sterile Technician | Central Sterilization Technician | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 27% | Associate Degree, 32% |
| Most common major | Business | Medical Technician |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between sterile technicians' and central sterilization technicians' demographics:
| Sterile Technician | Central Sterilization Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% | Male, 39.3% Female, 60.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 9.3% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 9% | 9% |