How long does sterile processing technician training take in Idaho?

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Idaho earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,450. Employment concentration in Idaho is about 1.35 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Idaho currently employs approximately 580 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

Idaho medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $46,450 ($22.33/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 580 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -2.6% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,450 ($22.33/hr)
25th percentile: $38,640 per year
75th percentile: $58,340 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $60,350 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,600 per year
Workers employed in Idaho: 580
Versus national median: -2.6% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.35 - this occupation is more concentrated in Idaho than the national average

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

Idaho employs about 580 sterile processing technicians earning a median $46,450 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.

Compare Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Idaho

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. 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 (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Bellevue College	73.6	$4,436 in-state / $10,502 out-of-state	$64,079	36%	Yes*	424 mi
2	Spokane Community College	68.4	$5,461 in-state / $6,612 out-of-state	$52,567	33%	Yes*	265 mi
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3	Edmonds College	67.5	$4,810 in-state / $10,875 out-of-state	$52,875	29%	Yes*	439 mi
4	Lower Columbia College	66.5	$4,626 in-state / $6,003 out-of-state	$52,301	23%	Yes*	422 mi
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5	Clover Park Technical College	63.9	$6,634	$51,699	43%	Yes*	426 mi
6	Renton Technical College	63.3	$6,308 in-state / $7,369 out-of-state	$56,466	46%	Yes*	422 mi
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7	Truckee Meadows Community College	63.0	$3,352 in-state / $12,018 out-of-state	$55,261	32%	Yes*	422 mi
8	Columbia Basin College	61.3	$6,555 in-state / $8,668 out-of-state	$67,608	33%	—	254 mi
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9	Mountainland Technical College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$39,284	84%	—	305 mi
10	Yakima Valley College	55.9	$5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state	$51,006	29%	—	324 mi
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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.

Idaho employs approximately 580 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,450 ¹. The state’s concentration of sterile processing technician jobs is 1.35x 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 Idaho, 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 (Idaho): $46,450 per year ¹

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

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Idaho is $46,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,600 and experienced professionals can earn $60,350 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Idaho

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 Idaho

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 Idaho

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Boise City	260	$46,450	$47,940	$38,640	$59,460
Idaho Falls	80	$51,730	$57,590	$36,130	$98,780
Pocatello	30	$35,550	$39,080	$31,800	$57,670

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 Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 580 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 Idaho with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Idaho is $46,450, which is $40 below the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Idaho

Best Trade Schools in Idaho (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Idaho

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)