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

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Kentucky employs about 1,120 sterile processing technicians earning a median $46,880 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 Kentucky

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
166.6Contact school for pricing$50,87976%—144 mi
261.1$13,450$58,575Not reportedYes*135 mi
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355.7$3,675 in-state / $8,556 out-of-state$48,98041%Yes*151 mi
449.8$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state$47,26539%Yes*239 mi
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549.2$5,154 in-state / $9,935 out-of-state$53,36940%Yes*149 mi
648.2$7,126 in-state / $16,858 out-of-state$54,33339%Yes*136 mi
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745.8$10,101 in-state / $14,412 out-of-state$54,30150%Yes*206 mi
840.9$4,284 in-state / $13,266 out-of-state$47,31532%—229 mi
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939.5$4,730 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state$48,59218%Yes*140 mi
1032.7$5,136 in-state / $7,872 out-of-state$37,02129%Yes*181 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.

Kentucky employs approximately 1,120 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,880 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 Kentucky, 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 (Kentucky): $46,880 per year 1

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

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Kentucky? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Kentucky is $46,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,340 and experienced professionals can earn $60,410 or more 1.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Kentucky

  1. Complete a sterile-processing program or OJT. Finish a program or documented on-the-job training. This is not a registered apprenticeship.
  2. 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 Kentucky

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

Typical path

  1. Complete training.

  2. Earn CRCST.

  3. 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 Kentucky

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Kentucky

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Cincinnati780$48,130$48,010$38,170$60,760
Louisville/Jefferson County480$48,800$49,090$35,340$60,410
Lexington-Fayette250$47,150$46,600$37,500$56,670
Huntington-Ashland100$46,170$47,860$37,420$62,420
Paducah30$44,050$47,740$36,630$55,880

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 Kentucky? Kentucky currently employs approximately 1,120 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 Kentucky with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Kentucky compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Kentucky is $46,880, which is $390 above the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data 1.

In Kentucky

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

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

  2. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)