Medical Equipment Preparers in Illinois earn a median $48,050 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). This page lists sterile processing tech schools near Oak Forest, sorted by distance, with program lengths, credentials, and local wage data so you can compare training options.
Key Facts
Illinois median wage: $48,050/yr
National job outlook: +10.8% (2025-2035), ~10,700 openings/yr
Illinois employment: 2,800 workers
Pay range (10th-90th pct): $38,280 to $66,390
Typical program length: 4-12 months (certificate/diploma)
Sources: BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035; IPEDS / program catalogs, 2024.
Sterile Processing Tech Schools near Oak Forest
How we rank schools – graduation rate, graduate earnings, cost and retention.
Advertising plays no part.
This page lists 5 schools
within 32 miles, nearest first in 25-mile
distance bands, then by BOC Score inside each band with the highest at the top.
5 of them carry a score.
LOCAL RANK
Location / proximity to this page
Defines the local group
Graduation rate how often students finish
30%
Median earnings, 10 years after entry whether it paid off
25%
Average net price what students actually pay after aid; lower ranks higher
20%
Retention rate how many come back for year two
15%
Fully online availability whether you can study while working
10%
Scores come from IPEDS (2024) and the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Earnings are for all graduates of a school, not one program, so treat them as a signal
about the institution rather than about this subject.
Sponsored listings are paid placements and are labelled as such; they are separate from
this ranking and never change it. Read the full methodology.
Annual Wage by Percentile, United States - Medical Equipment PreparersSource: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
Medical Equipment Preparers annual wage percentiles
Percentile
Annual wage
10th
$36,410
25th
$39,800
50th (median)
$47,700
75th
$58,570
90th
$69,950
Projected employment growth, United States, Medical Equipment Preparers, 2025-2035Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2025-2035
Medical Equipment Preparers employment projection 2025 to 2035
Year
Employment
2025
79,900
2035 projected
88,600
Percent change
+10.8%
How to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois
Finish high school or earn a GED. Most accredited Sterile Processing Technician programs require a high school diploma or GED for admission.
Complete an accredited or state-approved program. Enroll in an accredited or state-approved Sterile Processing Technician certificate, diploma, or degree program that combines classroom instruction with hands-on labs.
Complete clinical or externship hours. Finish the required supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours to build real-world experience before you graduate. Confirm hour totals with each program.
Earn a recognized certification. Sit for a national credential such as the HSPA CRCST or CBSPD CSPDT. Certification is voluntary in most states but widely preferred by employers.
Apply for Sterile Processing Technician roles. Apply to clinics, hospitals, and healthcare employers in Illinois. Keep credentials current and verify any facility-specific requirements.
Sterile Processing Technician is not a state-licensed occupation in most states, including Illinois; national certification is voluntary but widely preferred by employers. Confirm any facility-specific requirements before enrolling.
Training Pathways & Clinical Hours
Most sterile processing tech workers train through a short postsecondary certificate or diploma that combines classroom instruction with supervised clinical, lab, or externship hours. A smaller number enter through registered apprenticeships or employer-sponsored training; confirm hour totals and clinical placement details with each program before enrolling.
What You Study
Sterile Processing Technician programs typically blend healthcare fundamentals - anatomy, medical terminology, infection control, and patient safety - with the hands-on skills specific to the role, practiced in labs and a supervised clinical or externship. Coursework can also prepare you for the certification or licensing exam where one applies.
Tips for Choosing a Sterile Processing Tech Program
Confirm the program is accredited or state-approved for the credential you plan to earn.
Ask how clinical, lab, or externship placements are arranged and how many hours are required.
Compare day, evening, and accelerated schedules that fit your work and family commitments.
Review certification exam pass rates (if published) and ask about career support services. Individual outcomes may vary.
How long does sterile processing tech training take near Oak Forest?
Most Sterile Processing Technician programs are short certificate or diploma tracks that take roughly 4 to 12 months of full-time study; degree tracks (where they exist) run longer. Actual length depends on schedule, clinical hours, and any prerequisites.
How much do sterile processing tech workers earn in Illinois?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (BLS OEWS May 2025), Medical Equipment Preparers in Illinois earned a median annual wage of approximately $48,050. Pay varies with experience, certification, and employer; the 10th to 90th percentile range in Illinois was about $38,280 to $66,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is sterile processing tech a growing career?
BLS Employment Projections (2025-2035) estimate national employment for Medical Equipment Preparers will change +10.8%, with about 10,700 openings per year, including replacements.
Do I need certification to work as a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois?
This role is not state-licensed in most states, but many employers prefer or require a national credential such as the HSPA CRCST or CBSPD CSPDT. Confirm requirements with prospective employers and your program before enrolling.
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
Data
Provider
Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
