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Sterilizer operator vs sterilization specialist

The differences between sterilizer operators and sterilization specialists 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 a sterilization specialist. Additionally, a sterilization specialist has an average salary of $57,057, 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 a sterilization specialist are OSHA, autoclaves, and AAMI.

Sterilizer operator vs sterilization specialist overview

Sterilizer OperatorSterilization Specialist
Yearly salary$39,198$57,057
Hourly rate$18.85$27.43
Growth rate7%10%
Number of jobs30,7214,372
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Average age4343
Years of experience22

Sterilizer operator vs sterilization specialist salary

Sterilizer operators and sterilization specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Sterilizer OperatorSterilization Specialist
Average salary$39,198$57,057
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $49,000Between $38,000 And $83,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between sterilizer operator and sterilization specialist education

There are a few differences between a sterilizer operator and a sterilization specialist in terms of educational background:

Sterilizer OperatorSterilization Specialist
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 32%Bachelor's Degree, 33%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY FarmingdaleBoston University

Sterilizer operator vs sterilization specialist demographics

Here are the differences between sterilizer operators' and sterilization specialists' demographics:

Sterilizer OperatorSterilization Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 71.3% Female, 28.7%Male, 42.3% Female, 57.7%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.8% Asian, 9.1% White, 53.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.4%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between sterilizer operator and sterilization specialist 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.
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Sterilization specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead cross functional project team to build user-friendly windows base customer support applications which interface with the OmniPlan/OmniPlus mainframe application.
  • Facilitate the sterilization process of dental instruments in compliance with OSHA standards.
  • Perform steam, ETO and gamma yearly revalidations in according with ISO guidelines.
  • Follow OSHA requirements for disinfecting and preparing dental instruments for both the dentists and hygienists.
  • Architect FDA product application submission strategy for parametric release.
  • Investigate audit findings with regulatory implications, prepare comprehensive report for senior leadership, and develop targeted CAPA.
  • Show more

Sterilizer operator vs sterilization specialist skills

Common sterilizer operator skills
  • Sops, 12%
  • Sterilizers, 10%
  • GMP, 9%
  • CIP, 7%
  • APA, 7%
  • Data Entry, 7%
Common sterilization specialist skills
  • OSHA, 18%
  • Autoclaves, 13%
  • AAMI, 12%
  • Sterilizers, 11%
  • ISO, 10%
  • FDA, 8%

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