Best institutions to study 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.
105 U.S. institutions graduated 2,477 Sterile Processing Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 51.1012, a specialization of Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10), and leads most directly to the Surgical Technologists occupation (BLS SOC 29-2055).
About Sterile Processing Technology/Technician programs
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.
See also: 51.0909 - Surgical Technology/Technologist.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Sterile Processing Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to clean, sterilize, and assemble surgical instruments and equipment for medical and surgical facilities. This program is ideal for those interested in supporting healthcare teams and ensuring patient safety through effective sterilization and infection control practices.
Students will gain essential skills in monitoring, critical thinking, and active listening. Coursework covers sterilization techniques, infection control, decontamination processes, and surgical instrumentation management, equipping graduates with the knowledge needed for effective practice in healthcare settings.
Credentials awarded
What Sterile Processing Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year1,017 graduates / yr · 60 institutions41%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years921 graduates / yr · 24 institutions37%
- Award of less than 12 weeks538 graduates / yr · 23 institutions22%
- Associate's degree1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Sterile Processing Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 219 |
| 2013 | 319 |
| 2014 | 464 |
| 2015 | 554 |
| 2016 | 874 |
| 2017 | 923 |
| 2018 | 1,088 |
| 2019 | 1,055 |
| 2020 | 1,018 |
| 2021 | 1,108 |
| 2022 | 1,193 |
| 2023 | 1,333 |
| 2024 | 1,964 |
| 2025 | 2,477 |
Top 50 institutions for Sterile Processing Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Herzing University - Madison Madison, WIPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 254 | 28% | $20,965 | — |
| 2 | Philadelphia Technician Training Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 149 | 50% | $22,992 | — |
| 3 | Contra Costa Medical Career College Antioch, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 103 | 100% | — | $44,990 |
| 4 | Concorde Career Institute - Miramar Miramar, FLPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 89 | 67% | $27,271 | — |
| 5 | Fortis College Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 83 | 64% | $29,640 | $34,909 |
| 6 | Pima Medical Institute - Phoenix Phoenix, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 68 | 65% | $6,964 | $33,825 |
| 7 | Concorde Career Institute - Orlando Orlando, FLPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 62 | 69% | $34,100 | — |
| 8 | College of DuPage Glen Ellyn, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 53 | 25% | — | — |
| 9 | Fortis Institute Houston, TXPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 53 | 67% | $16,749 | $34,909 |
| 10 | Dorsey College Madison Heights, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 54% | $25,186 | $31,951 |
| 11 | Dorsey College - Roseville Roseville, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 50 | 35% | $23,871 | — |
| 12 | Concorde Career College - Grand Prairie Grand Prairie, TXPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 46 | 55% | $26,239 | — |
| 13 | Concorde Career Institute - Tampa Tampa, FLPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 43 | 56% | $26,047 | — |
| 14 | Anoka Technical College Anoka, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 40 | 66% | — | — |
| 15 | Pima Medical Institute - Denver Denver, COPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 40 | 73% | $23,429 | $31,071 |
| 16 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 38 | 31% | — | — |
| 17 | Concorde Career College - Kansas City Kansas City, MOPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 37 | 53% | $29,551 | — |
| 18 | Massachusetts Bay Community College Wellesley Hills, MAPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 37 | 17% | — | — |
| 19 | Concorde Career College - Memphis Memphis, TNPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 37 | 55% | $23,740 | — |
| 20 | Atlantic Technical College Coconut Creek, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 65% | — | $26,464 |
| 21 | Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 35 | 47% | $28,466 | — |
| 22 | H W Brewster Technical College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 35 | 72% | — | $37,851 |
| 23 | Brookline College - Tempe Tempe, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 35 | 40% | $19,642 | $25,699 |
| 24 | Glendale Career College Glendale, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 34 | 63% | $46,675 | $40,382 |
| 25 | Midwestern Career College Chicago, ILPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 34 | 54% | $12,455 | $33,466 |
| 26 | Saint Paul College Saint Paul, MNPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 32 | 40% | — | $40,232 |
| 27 | Antilles School of Technical Careers San Juan, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 31 | 59% | $5,832 | — |
| 28 | Premiere Career College Irwindale, CAPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 52% | $25,597 | $39,459 |
| 29 | Dorsey College - Woodhaven Woodhaven, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 27 | 48% | $23,857 | — |
| 30 | Sinclair Community College Dayton, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 26 | 41% | — | $45,022 |
| 31 | Berkeley College - Woodland Park Woodland Park, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 44% | $23,170 | $40,999 |
| 32 | Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences New York, NYPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 25 | 57% | $32,384 | — |
| 33 | Renton Technical College Renton, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 25 | 46% | — | — |
| 34 | Washtenaw Community College Ann Arbor, MIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 33% | — | — |
| 35 | Minneapolis Community and Technical College Minneapolis, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 20% | — | — |
| 36 | Lorain County Community College Elyria, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 23 | 31% | — | — |
| 37 | East Valley Institute of Technology Mesa, AZPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 23 | 68% | — | — |
| 38 | College of Southern Nevada Las Vegas, NVPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 22 | 19% | — | — |
| 39 | Ivy Tech Community College Indianapolis, INPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 40% | — | $23,166 |
| 40 | Clover Park Technical College Lakewood, WAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 43% | — | $42,066 |
| 41 | Abcott Institute Southfield, MIPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 93% | $21,007 | — |
| 42 | MCI Institute of NJ Ocean, NJPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 100% | — | $48,897 |
| 43 | Florida State College at Jacksonville Jacksonville, FLPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 37% | — | $58,346 |
| 44 | Brookline College - Tucson Tucson, AZPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 19 | 48% | $20,635 | $25,699 |
| 45 | Greenville Technical College Greenville, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 18 | 21% | — | — |
| 46 | Lansing Community College Lansing, MIPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 17 | 25% | — | — |
| 47 | Concorde Career College - Garden Grove Garden Grove, CAPrivate for-profitAward of less than 12 weeks | 16 | 84% | $23,570 | — |
| 48 | Aims Community College Greeley, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 40% | — | — |
| 49 | Front Range Community College Westminster, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 35% | — | $33,294 |
| 50 | Parkland College Champaign, ILPublicAward of less than 12 weeks | 15 | 32% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field (CIP 51.10) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 28 states & territories
Where Sterile Processing Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 29-2055, Surgical Technologists, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Surgical Technologists, Medical Equipment Preparers, and Health Specialties Teachers. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 4.5% and approximately 7,000 annual openings. The median wage for this field is $62,830, typically requiring a postsecondary nondegree award.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 51.1012
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Surgical Technologistsprimary SOC 29-2055 | $64,650 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~7,000 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1071 | $107,310 | +17.3% Much faster than average | ~27,400 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Medical Equipment Preparers SOC 31-9093 | $47,700 | +10.0% Much faster than average | ~10,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Sterile Processing Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Maintain a proper sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Count sponges, needles, and instruments before and after operation.
- Scrub arms and hands and assist the surgical team to scrub and put on gloves, masks, and surgical clothing.
- Provide technical assistance to surgeons, surgical nurses, or anesthesiologists.
- Prepare patients for surgery, including positioning patients on the operating table and covering them with sterile surgical drapes to prevent exposure.
- Hand instruments and supplies to surgeons and surgeons' assistants, hold retractors and cut sutures, and perform other tasks as directed by surgeon during operation.
Tools and technology used
Other Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions specializations
The 12 other 6-digit CIP codes under Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10).
- Phlebotomy Technician/CIP 51.1009
Phlebotomist 10,645 graduates / yr335 institutions - Clinical Laboratory Science/CIP 51.1005
Medical Technology/ Technologist 4,160 graduates / yr233 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1004
Medical Laboratory Technician 3,375 graduates / yr262 institutions - Clinical/CIP 51.1099
Medical Laboratory Science and Allied Professions 806 graduates / yr35 institutions - Histologic TechnicianCIP 51.1008243 graduates / yr19 institutions
- Blood Bank Technology SpecialistCIP 51.1001227 graduates / yr13 institutions
- Cytotechnology/CIP 51.1002
Cytotechnologist 137 graduates / yr16 institutions - Histologic Technology/CIP 51.1007
Histotechnologist 98 graduates / yr16 institutions - Hematology Technology/CIP 51.1003
Technician partial data84 graduates / yr3 institutions - Renal/CIP 51.1011
Dialysis Technologist/ Technician partial data77 graduates / yr8 institutions - Ophthalmic Laboratory Technology/CIP 51.1006
Technician partial data72 graduates / yr3 institutions - Cytogenetics/CIP 51.1010
Genetics/ Clinical Genetics Technology/ Technologist limited data33 graduates / yr2 institutions
See all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions programs →
Common questions
What is the duration of the Sterile Processing Technology program?+
The program typically awards certificates ranging from less than 12 weeks to less than 2 academic years.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in monitoring, critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication.
What career opportunities are available after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Surgical Technologists, Medical Equipment Preparers, or Health Specialties Teachers.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.5% and around 7,000 annual job openings.
What is the CIP code for Sterile Processing Technology/Technician?+
Sterile Processing Technology/Technician is CIP 51.1012 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions (CIP 51.10). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Sterile Processing Technology/Technician programs?+
105 U.S. institutions reported Sterile Processing Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 28 states & territories, awarding 2,477 credentials in the year. That is 11.0% of all Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions graduates.
How much do Sterile Processing Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Surgical Technologists occupation, which Sterile Processing Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $64,650 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions field report median earnings of $34,909 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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