🏥 Healthcare ↑ 8% growth · Faster than average

Sterile Processing Technician (SPT)

SPTs are the unsung heroes of surgical safety — decontaminating, inspecting, and sterilizing all surgical instruments between procedures. No surgery happens without them, and hospitals can't survive without a full sterile processing department.

$43,300 Median Salary
57K US Jobs
3–12 months Training
$2,000–$8,000 Typical Cost

💰 Salary & Earning Potential

Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Figures represent national averages — local wages vary by state, city, and employer.

Entry Level
$33,000
Median
$43,300
Experienced
$58,000
Want your state's salary? Select a state below to see local wage data, demand, and training programs.

📈 Job Outlook

8%
Projected Growth (10yr)
Faster than average
57K
Total US Jobs
Active positions nationwide
CRCST
Required Credential
CRCST (IAHCSMM) or CSPDT (CBSPD)

🎓 Training & Education

Typical Program
SPT Certificate
Program Length
3–12 months
Typical Tuition
$2,000–$8,000
Work Setting
Hospital central sterile departments, ambulatory surgery centers
🏆 Credential Required: CRCST (IAHCSMM) or CSPDT (CBSPD)

☀️ Day in the Life

A typical day as a Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) involves working closely with clients and colleagues in a Hospital central sterile departments environment. You'll apply your training daily while building expertise and advancing your career.

⚖️ Pros & Cons

Advantages

  • ✅ Strong job security
  • ✅ Rewarding work
  • ✅ Clear career progression
  • ✅ Growing demand

Challenges

  • ⚠️ Can be physically demanding
  • ⚠️ May require ongoing certification
  • ⚠️ Entry-level wages vary by region

🗺️ Sterile Processing Technician (SPT) by State

See local salary data, licensing requirements, and schools in your state:

🏫 Schools and programs related to Sterile Processing Technician (SPT)

USA Career Finder combines federal education datasets, state-approved training lists, workforce training provider lists, and licensing-board sources where available. Always confirm program availability, cost, admissions requirements, and licensing eligibility directly with the school.

Federal dataset match
Community College

CUNY Bronx Community College

📍 Bronx, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Lindsey Hopkins Technical College

📍 Miami, FL
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Oakton College

📍 Des Plaines, IL
Award
Federal dataset match
Career College

Stautzenberger College-Maumee

📍 Maumee, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Private College

ICOHS College

📍 San Diego, CA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Elizabethton

📍 Elizabethton, TN
Award
Federal dataset match
Career College

Stautzenberger College-Brecksville

📍 Brecksville, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Minneapolis Community and Technical College

📍 Minneapolis, MN
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Ivy Tech Community College

📍 Indianapolis, IN
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Northern Essex Community College

📍 Haverhill, MA
Award
Federal dataset match
Trade School

Healing Mountain Massage School

📍 Salt Lake City, UT
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Trade School

The Institute of Beauty and Wellness

📍 Milwaukee, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

William Rainey Harper College

📍 Palatine, IL
Award
Federal dataset match
Career College

Stautzenberger College-Rockford Career College

📍 Rockford, IL
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Tarrant County College District

📍 Fort Worth, TX
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Suffolk County Community College

📍 Selden, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Central Arizona College

📍 Coolidge, AZ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Connecticut State Community College

📍 Hartford, CT
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Northland Community and Technical College

📍 Thief River Falls, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Finger Lakes Community College

📍 Canandaigua, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Community College of Allegheny County

📍 Pittsburgh, PA
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Career College

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

📍 Tempe, AZ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Santa Rosa Junior College

📍 Santa Rosa, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Southern Maine Community College

📍 South Portland, ME
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Camden County College

📍 Blackwood, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Milwaukee Area Technical College

📍 Milwaukee, WI
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Merritt College

📍 Oakland, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Orange Coast College

📍 Costa Mesa, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Central New Mexico Community College

📍 Albuquerque, NM
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Mohawk Valley Community College

📍 Utica, NY
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Barton County Community College

📍 Great Bend, KS
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Johnson County Community College

📍 Overland Park, KS
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

North Shore Community College

📍 Danvers, MA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Middlesex College

📍 Edison, NJ
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Stark State College

📍 North Canton, OH
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton

📍 Morrilton, AR
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Long Beach City College

📍 Long Beach, CA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Cuyahoga Community College District

📍 Cleveland, OH
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Anoka-Ramsey Community College

📍 Coon Rapids, MN
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Bucks County Community College

📍 Newtown, PA
Award
Federal dataset match
Trade School

Aveda Institute-Madison

📍 Madison, WI
Certificate 1-<2yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

📍 Kalamazoo, MI
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Northeast Community College

📍 Norfolk, NE
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

Owens Community College

📍 Perrysburg, OH
Award
Federal dataset match
Community College

Westmoreland County Community College

📍 Youngwood, PA
Certificate 2-4yr
Federal dataset match
Community College

College of Lake County

📍 Grayslake, IL
Certificate 2-4yr

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