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Sterilizer operator education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a sterilizer operator. Sterilizer operators usually study business, general studies, or biology. 32% of sterilizer operators hold a high school diploma, and 30% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 193 real sterilizer operator resumes to see exactly what sterilizer operator education sections show.

The most common colleges for sterilizer operators are the Kalamazoo College and the Kalamazoo College.

There are also many online sterilizer operator courses to help get the education required to be a sterilizer operator.

What education do you need to become a sterilizer operator?

What degree do you need to be a sterilizer operator?

The most common degree for sterilizer operators is high school diploma, with 32% of sterilizer operators earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 30% and associate degree degree at 30%.
  • High School Diploma, 32%
  • Associate, 30%
  • Bachelor's, 30%
  • Diploma, 5%
  • Other Degrees, 3%

What should I major in to become a sterilizer operator?

You should major in business to become a sterilizer operator. 21% of sterilizer operators major in business. Other common majors for a sterilizer operator include general studies and biology.

Most common colleges for sterilizer operators

Sterilizer operators often get their degrees at Kalamazoo College, Cleveland State University, and Worcester State University. Here are the most common colleges for sterilizer operators in the US based on their resumes.
Sterilizer operator common collegePercentages
Kalamazoo College12.50%
Cleveland State University8.33%
Worcester State University8.33%
Universidad Politecnica de Puerto Rico4.17%
University of North Carolina at Greensboro4.17%

Best majors for sterilizer operators

RankMajorPercentages
1Business21.4%
2General Studies10.0%
3Biology8.6%
4Criminal Justice7.1%
5Electrical Engineering5.7%

Best colleges for sterilizer operators

The best colleges for sterilizer operators are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and New York University.

A sterilizer operator with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for sterilizer operators. 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 sterilizer operators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

3. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

4. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

5. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

6. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

7. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

8. SUNY at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,099

Enrollment

21,404

9. Western Carolina University

Cullowhee, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$3,926

Enrollment

9,835

10. Eastern Illinois University

Charleston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$11,803

Enrollment

4,631

20 best online courses for sterilizer operators

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Top 10 most affordable universities for sterilizer operators

The most affordable schools for sterilizer operators are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for sterilizer operators 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 sterilizer operators.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

6. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

7. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

9. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

10. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for sterilizer operators

The hardest universities for sterilizer operators to get into are Stanford University, Northwestern University, and New York University.

Some great schools for sterilizer operators 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 sterilizer operators 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. George Washington University, The

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

42%

SAT average

1,380

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

8. Baylor University

Waco, TX • Private

Admissions rate

39%

SAT average

1,307

9. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for sterilizer operators

The easiest schools for sterilizer operators to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and notre dame college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a sterilizer operator 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 sterilizer operators.

1. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

3. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

4. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

5. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

6. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

9. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

10. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

Average sterilizer operator salary by education level

According to our data, sterilizer operators with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $46,803 annually. Sterilizer operators with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $43,022.
Sterilizer operator education levelSterilizer operator salary
Master's Degree$46,803
High School Diploma or Less$39,237
Bachelor's Degree$43,022
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,805

Sterilizer operator 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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