How to hire a sterilizer operator

How to hire a sterilizer operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step sterilizer operator hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a sterilizer operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new sterilizer operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your sterilizer operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a sterilizer operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

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   Hiring the perfect sterilizer operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of sterilizer operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Sterilizer Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Sterilizer Operator		$14-23
   Central Processing Technician	A central processing technician monitors the daily operations of a processing facility, ensuring equipment and machinery function smoothly and efficiently. They primarily conduct assessments and inspections to monitor and adjust machine parameters, perform quality tests on different products, and ensure that all procedures comply with industry standards and company regulations... Show more	$12-21
   Medical Supply Technician	A medical supply technician works at medical facilities where they are primarily in charge of sterilizing instruments and equipment, delivering in a timely and efficient manner. Part of their job is to run sterile tests according to protocols and health standards, monitor and maintain inventory records, and place orders to ensure adequate stock of medical supplies... Show more	$13-24

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Sops
   • Sterilizers
   • GMP
   • CIP
   • APA
   • Data Entry
   • ISO
   • Pallets
   • Room Equipment
   • Code Scanners
   • Environmental Monitoring
   • Medical Devices
   • FDA
   • Processing Equipment

   Check all skills

   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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your sterilizer operator job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A sterilizer operator can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, sterilizer operators' average salary in tennessee is 39% less than in michigan.
   • Seniority. Entry-level sterilizer operators 39% less than senior-level sterilizer operators.
   • Certifications. A sterilizer operator with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a sterilizer operator's salary.

   Average sterilizer operator salary

   $39,198yearly

   $18.85 hourly rate

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   Entry-level sterilizer operator salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a sterilizer operator job description

   A sterilizer operator job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a sterilizer operator job description:

   Sterilizer operator job description example

   Bausch + Lomb (NYSE/TSX: BLCO) is a leading global eye health company dedicated to protecting and enhancing the gift of sight for millions of people around the world-from the moment of birth through every phase of life. Our mission is simple, yet powerful: helping you see better, to live better.
   
   Our comprehensive portfolio of over 400 products is fully integrated and built to serve our customers across the full spectrum of their eye health needs throughout their lives. Our iconic brand is built on the deep trust and loyalty of our customers established over our nearly 170-year history. We have a significant global research, development, manufacturing and commercial footprint of approximately 12,500 employees and a presence in approximately 100 countries , extending our reach to billions of potential customers across the globe. We have long been associated with many of the most significant advances in eye health, and we believe we are well positioned to continue leading the advancement of eye health in the future.
   
   Load/unload totes and place dosimeters on product. Transfer pre-sterilized product into the APA. Unload trucks of non-sterile components from vendors and prepare them for processing while ensuring separation of sterile and non-sterile components. Place and read dosimeters using a digital micrometer and spectrophotometer. Operate Irradiator Console to set timer settings and clear faults/settings. PC Data entry to include dosimetry information and basic inventory receipt transactions in ERP Lx. Analyze and correct irradiator faults by interpreting program logic controller display indicators and repositioning switches, totes and sensors on the source pass as well as the entry and exit conveyors. Operate industrial irradiator and will load and unload components to ensure proper sterilization during irradiation operations.
   Education: HS Diploma/GED required.
   
   Radiation Safety and Forklift Certification preferred. Aseptic environment experience a plus. Warehouse Management Systems experience preferred (ERP Lx).
   
   Experience: 2 years of manufacturing experience required or advanced education degree (2 or 4 year).
   
   Preferred Skills: Strong reading and math comprehension, excellent communication skills (written & verbal), good attention to detail, demonstrated problem-solving ability. Computer skills to include MS Outlook & Excel, ability to navigate web-based computer applications.
   
   Pay starts at $19.00 per hour plus $0.65 per hour shift differential.
   
   This position may be available in the following location(s): US - Greenville, SC (Plant)
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.
   
   Job Applicants should be aware of job offer scams perpetrated through the use of the Internet and social media platforms.
   
   To learn more please read Bausch+Lomb's Job Offer Fraud Statement.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find sterilizer operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your sterilizer operator job on Zippia to find and recruit sterilizer operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with sterilizer operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new sterilizer operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect sterilizer operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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