How long does sterile processing technician training take in Arizona?

Most people become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona through a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona (2026)

Q: How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Arizona?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Arizona earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,790. Employment concentration in Arizona is about 1.44 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in Arizona?

Arizona currently employs approximately 2,320 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 10.0% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arizona medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $46,790 ($22.50/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,320 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.9% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,790 ($22.50/hr)
25th percentile: $38,380 per year
75th percentile: $53,540 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,760 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,290 per year
Workers employed in Arizona: 2,320
Versus national median: -1.9% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.44 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arizona than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arizona employs about 2,320 sterile processing technicians earning a median $46,790 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a Sterile Processing Technician here means completing a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

Key Facts

Median wage (Arizona): $46,790/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Arizona: 2,320 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.44x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 10.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Arizona

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	University of Advancing Technology	67.4	Contact school for pricing	$54,762	37%	Yes*	68 mi
2	Pima Medical Institute-Phoenix	60.1	Contact school for pricing	$39,692	59%	Yes*	85 mi
3	Yavapai College	57.1	$2,948 - $14,988	$57,288	33%	Yes*	149 mi
4	New Mexico State University-Grants	52.6	Contact school for pricing	$54,874	Not reported	Yes*	256 mi
5	Central New Mexico Community College	51.8	Contact school for pricing	$48,652	30%	Yes*	308 mi
6	New Mexico State University-Dona Ana	48.7	Contact school for pricing	$54,874	17%	Yes*	258 mi
7	El Paso Community College	46.5	Contact school for pricing	$39,712	23%	Yes*	286 mi
8	University of New Mexico-Gallup Campus	45.0	Contact school for pricing	$59,818	Not reported	—	239 mi
9	New Mexico State University-Alamogordo	38.7	Contact school for pricing	$54,874	Not reported	Yes*	304 mi
10	East Valley Institute of Technology	36.2	Contact school for pricing	$50,098	64%	—	66 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arizona employs approximately 2,320 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,790 ¹. The state’s concentration of sterile processing technician jobs is 1.44x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, sterile processing technician employment is projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 10,900 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: sterile-processing program or OJT (find programs)
Typical timeline: a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role
Exam: HSPA CRCST
Median wage (Arizona): $46,790 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona

How to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona? Complete a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a sterile-processing program or on-the-job training plus CRCST; some states register the role. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Arizona? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Arizona? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Arizona is $46,790 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,290 and experienced professionals can earn $60,760 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arizona

Complete a sterile-processing program or OJT. Finish a program or documented on-the-job training. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
Earn CRCST. Pass the HSPA CRCST exam. Confirm any state registration with the employer.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Sterile Processing Technician License Requirements in Arizona

Sterile-processing technicians typically earn CRCST. Some states add registration.

Typical path

Complete training.
Earn CRCST.
Register if the state requires it.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Sterile Processing Technician Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Arizona

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical equipment preparers wages in Arizona vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler	1,800	$47,320	$47,280	$35,280	$61,240
Tucson	260	$44,610	$45,820	$37,200	$58,110
Prescott Valley-Prescott	40	$43,950	$44,590	$31,330	$58,180

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for sterile processing technicians in Arizona? Arizona currently employs approximately 2,320 sterile processing technicians ¹. Nationally, sterile processing technician employment is projected to grow 10.0% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a sterile processing technician in Arizona with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

What training programs are available in Arizona? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arizona.

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Arizona compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Arizona is $46,790, which is $300 above the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arizona

Best Trade Schools in Arizona (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Arizona

Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

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)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)