How long does sterile processing technician training take in Arkansas?

Most people become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arkansas 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 Arkansas (2026)

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $38,100. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.50 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Arkansas currently employs approximately 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

Arkansas medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $38,100 ($18.32/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 320 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -20.1% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $38,100 ($18.32/hr)
25th percentile: $35,330 per year
75th percentile: $47,040 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $48,530 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $32,490 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 320
Versus national median: -20.1% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.50 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

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

Arkansas employs about 320 sterile processing technicians earning a median $38,100 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 (Arkansas): $38,100/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Arkansas: 320 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.50x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 10.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Arkansas

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	Dallas College	60.4	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	Yes*	296 mi
2	Concorde Career College-Kansas City	51.9	Contact school for pricing	$38,757	55%	Yes*	300 mi
3	Concorde Career College-Dallas	51.6	Contact school for pricing	$46,016	60%	—	288 mi
4	Navarro College	38.7	Contact school for pricing	$46,253	23%	Yes*	311 mi
5	Concorde Career College-Memphis	36.0	Contact school for pricing	$34,501	53%	—	141 mi
6	Southern University at Shreveport	24.1	Contact school for pricing	$45,588	Not reported	Yes*	187 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.

Arkansas employs approximately 320 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $38,100 ¹. 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 Arkansas, 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 (Arkansas): $38,100 per year ¹

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

How to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arkansas? 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 Arkansas? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Arkansas is $38,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $32,490 and experienced professionals can earn $48,530 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Arkansas

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 Arkansas

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 Arkansas

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	280	$45,480	$47,170	$36,720	$60,300
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	140	$45,620	$42,480	$35,330	$47,540
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	90	$36,810	$41,480	$31,870	$54,400

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 Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 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 Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Arkansas is $38,100, which is $8,390 below the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

Best Trade Schools in Arkansas (2026)

Top local programs

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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)