Sterilizer operator vs oxygen equipment preparer

The differences between sterilizer operators and oxygen equipment preparers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a sterilizer operator and an oxygen equipment preparer. Additionally, an oxygen equipment preparer has an average salary of $47,140, which is higher than the $39,198 average annual salary of a sterilizer operator.

The top three skills for a sterilizer operator include sops, sterilizers and GMP. The most important skills for an oxygen equipment preparer are autoclaves, sterilizers, and patient care.

Sterilizer operator vs oxygen equipment preparer overview

	Sterilizer Operator	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Yearly salary	$39,198	$47,140
Hourly rate	$18.85	$22.66
Growth rate	7%	-
Number of jobs	30,721	20,048
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	High School Diploma, 30%
Average age	43	43
Years of experience	2	2

Sterilizer operator vs oxygen equipment preparer salary

Sterilizer operators and oxygen equipment preparers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Sterilizer Operator	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Average salary	$39,198	$47,140
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $49,000	Between $25,000 And $86,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between sterilizer operator and oxygen equipment preparer education

There are a few differences between a sterilizer operator and an oxygen equipment preparer in terms of educational background:

	Sterilizer Operator	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 32%	High School Diploma, 30%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	SUNY Farmingdale	University of Pennsylvania

Sterilizer operator vs oxygen equipment preparer demographics

Here are the differences between sterilizer operators' and oxygen equipment preparers' demographics:

	Sterilizer Operator	Oxygen Equipment Preparer
Average age	43	43
Gender ratio	Male, 71.3% Female, 28.7%	Male, 66.7% Female, 33.3%
Race ratio	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%	Black or African American, 17.1% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 13.5% Asian, 7.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage	9%	9%

Differences between sterilizer operator and oxygen equipment preparer duties and responsibilities

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.

Oxygen equipment preparer example responsibilities.

Conduct hydrostatic tests of CO2 and mix gas cylinders.
Demonstrate proper PPE and follow sterilization procedures for individual instruments and various hospital equipment.
Adhere to all rules and regulations impose by the FDA to successfully pass monthly audits and inspections.

Sterilizer operator vs oxygen equipment preparer skills

Common sterilizer operator skills

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

Common oxygen equipment preparer skills

Autoclaves, 79%
Sterilizers, 13%
Patient Care, 8%

Sterilizer Operator vs. similar jobs

Sterilizer Operator related careers

Sterilizer Operator related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Healthcare Support Industry
Sterilizer Operator
Sterilizer Operator vs Oxygen Equipment Preparer

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare support jobs