How long does sterile processing technician training take in Iowa?

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Iowa earned a median annual wage of approximately $39,930. Employment concentration in Iowa is roughly 0.76 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 Iowa?

Iowa currently employs approximately 590 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

Iowa medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $39,930 ($19.20/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 590 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -16.3% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $39,930 ($19.20/hr)
25th percentile: $38,850 per year
75th percentile: $47,340 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $52,300 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $37,070 per year
Workers employed in Iowa: 590
Versus national median: -16.3% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.76 - this occupation is less concentrated in Iowa than the national average

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

Iowa employs about 590 sterile processing technicians earning a median $39,930 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 Iowa

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	Chippewa Valley Technical College	61.2	$4,844 in-state / $7,087 out-of-state	$57,493	50%	Yes*	187 mi
2	Madison Area Technical College	59.1	$4,977 in-state / $7,255 out-of-state	$55,207	29%	Yes*	206 mi
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3	Hennepin Technical College	58.9	$5,940	$59,906	42%	Yes*	186 mi
4	Century College	52.6	$6,214	$54,401	31%	Yes*	182 mi
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5	Anoka Technical College	51.7	$6,267	$55,035	66%	Yes*	194 mi
6	Saint Paul College	48.2	$6,326	$52,870	40%	Yes*	175 mi
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7	Minneapolis Community and Technical College	45.5	$6,161	$52,691	20%	Yes*	177 mi
8	Herzing University-Madison	35.8	$13,450	$58,575	28%	Yes*	208 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.

Iowa employs approximately 590 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $39,930 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 Iowa, 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 (Iowa): $39,930 per year ¹

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

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Iowa? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Iowa is $39,930 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,070 and experienced professionals can earn $52,300 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Iowa

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 Iowa

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 Iowa

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Iowa

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Omaha	320	$39,430	$44,090	$37,740	$56,070
Iowa City	150	$39,170	$44,120	$39,170	$51,530
Des Moines-West Des Moines	110	$45,020	$45,210	$37,880	$58,340
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island	50	$39,930	$43,010	$34,230	$53,110
Cedar Rapids	40	$41,070	$42,330	$36,610	$49,910
Sioux City	40	$42,430	$43,730	$38,340	$50,260
Waterloo-Cedar Falls	40	$39,530	$41,220	$36,460	$52,300

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 Iowa? Iowa currently employs approximately 590 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 Iowa with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Iowa compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Iowa is $39,930, which is $6,560 below the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Iowa

Best Trade Schools in Iowa (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Iowa

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)