How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois (2026)
Illinois employs about 2,800 sterile processing technicians earning a median $48,050 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 (Illinois): $48,050/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Employed in Illinois: 2,800 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Location quotient: 0.92x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
- Projected growth: 10.0% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)
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Compare Sterile Processing Technician Schools in Illinois
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | William Rainey Harper College | 59.2 | Contact school for pricing | $56,704 | Not reported | Yes* | 87 mi |
| 2 | Midwestern Career College | 57.7 | Contact school for pricing | $46,684 | 58% | Yes* | 92 mi |
| 3 | Lincoln Land Community College | 57.3 | Contact school for pricing | $52,163 | 45% | Yes* | 96 mi |
| 4 | Oakton College | 57.2 | Contact school for pricing | $53,388 | 34% | Yes* | 91 mi |
| 5 | Joliet Junior College | 55.1 | $4,530 - $13,800 | $51,121 | 21% | Yes* | 52 mi |
| 6 | Triton College | 54.9 | Contact school for pricing | $52,701 | Not reported | Yes* | 85 mi |
| 7 | Illinois Central College | 50.0 | Contact school for pricing | $55,058 | Not reported | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 8 | College of DuPage | 47.7 | Contact school for pricing | $55,984 | 25% | — | 73 mi |
| 9 | Purdue University Global | 45.8 | Contact school for pricing | $54,301 | 49% | Yes* | 112 mi |
| 10 | Blackhawk Technical College | 45.1 | Contact school for pricing | $56,991 | 32% | — | 116 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.
Illinois employs approximately 2,800 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,050 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 Illinois, 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 (Illinois): $48,050 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois
How to become a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois? 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 Illinois? Licensing varies. Confirm with the program and employer. See the licensing section below.
What do sterile processing technicians earn in Illinois? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Illinois is $48,050 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,280 and experienced professionals can earn $66,390 or more 1.
How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Illinois
- 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 Illinois
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 Illinois
Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Illinois
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), medical equipment preparers wages in Illinois vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | 2,140 | $48,630 | $52,720 | $39,460 | $71,240 |
| St. Louis | 890 | $45,880 | $46,220 | $37,240 | $60,400 |
| Peoria | 130 | $45,610 | $46,150 | $36,150 | $55,900 |
| Rockford | 90 | $44,540 | $45,690 | $37,520 | $57,430 |
| Springfield | 80 | $39,780 | $42,050 | $36,800 | $47,770 |
| Cape Girardeau | 70 | $36,970 | $38,070 | $33,240 | $45,980 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island | 50 | $39,930 | $43,010 | $34,230 | $53,110 |
| Bloomington | 40 | $41,550 | $42,950 | $35,130 | $47,610 |
| Paducah | 30 | $44,050 | $47,740 | $36,630 | $55,880 |
| Champaign-Urbana | N/A | $37,160 | $43,890 | $36,610 | $57,700 |
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 Illinois? Illinois currently employs approximately 2,800 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 Illinois with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.
What training programs are available in Illinois? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Illinois.
How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Illinois compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Illinois is $48,050, which is $1,560 above the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data 1.
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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) |