by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Sterile Processing Technology/Technician involves the study of Sterile Processing Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Clean, Sterilize, And Assemble Surgical Instruments, Equipment, And Supplies For Use In Operating Rooms And Other Medical And Surgical Facilities. Includes Instruction In Sterilization; Infection Control; Decontamination; And Surgical Instrumentation Processing, Distribution, And Record-Keeping. Continue reading for the key facts every sterile processing technology/technician student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering sterile processing technology/technician programs.
Nationwide, sterile processing technology/technician is a popular field of study, with 1,964 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Sterile Processing Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 92 schools to determine the best overall colleges for sterile processing technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of sterile processing technology/technician programs later in this article.
Studies in Sterile Processing Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations sterile processing technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills developed in a sterile processing technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Based on O*NET data, a sterile processing technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several sterile processing technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 901 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 797 |
People currently working in careers related to sterile processing technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 22.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 20.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 13.0% |
| Some college courses | 11.8% |
| Master’s degree | 11.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 7.4% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.4% |
| Post-doctoral training | 5.7% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in sterile processing technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A degree in sterile processing technology/technician prepares you for a variety of career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to sterile processing technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to sterile processing technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | 1,820,366 | -3.0% |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,335,407 | 10.7% |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | 1,074,457 | 7.8% |
Federal data tracks median earnings of sterile processing technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $42,942 |
| 4 years | $39,910 |
| 5 years | $44,672 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for sterile processing technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers sterile processing technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Surgical Technologists | $73,045 |
| Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | $46,663 |
| Medical Equipment Preparers | $30,227 |
With 92 different sterile processing technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased sterile processing technology/technician school rankings to help you.
Those considering sterile processing technology/technician, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
