🏥 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
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💰 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:

FL FloridaGA GeorgiaTX TexasCA CaliforniaNY New YorkNC North CarolinaIL IllinoisOH OhioPA PennsylvaniaAZ ArizonaAL AlabamaAR ArkansasLA LouisianaMS MississippiSC South CarolinaTN TennesseeVA VirginiaWV West VirginiaKY KentuckyMD MarylandDE DelawareNJ New JerseyCT ConnecticutMA MassachusettsRI Rhode IslandNH New HampshireVT VermontME MaineMI MichiganIN IndianaWI WisconsinMN MinnesotaIA IowaMO MissouriND North DakotaSD South DakotaNE NebraskaKS KansasOK OklahomaCO ColoradoMT MontanaWY WyomingID IdahoUT UtahNV NevadaNM New MexicoWA WashingtonOR OregonAK AlaskaHI HawaiiDC Washington DC