How long does sterile processing technician training take in Montana?

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

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

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Montana earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,670. Employment concentration in Montana is about 1.28 times the national average for this occupation.

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

Montana currently employs approximately 330 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

Montana medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $44,670 ($21.47/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 330 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -6.4% below the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $44,670 ($21.47/hr)
25th percentile: $38,990 per year
75th percentile: $48,660 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $56,770 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,810 per year
Workers employed in Montana: 330
Versus national median: -6.4% below the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.28 - this occupation is more concentrated in Montana than the national average

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

Montana employs about 330 sterile processing technicians earning a median $44,670 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 Montana

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*	525 mi
2	Williston State College	70.1	$6,128	$54,746	42%	Yes*	354 mi
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3	Spokane Community College	68.4	$5,461 in-state / $6,612 out-of-state	$52,567	33%	Yes*	304 mi
4	Edmonds College	67.5	$4,810 in-state / $10,875 out-of-state	$52,875	29%	Yes*	534 mi
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5	Everett Community College	66.5	$5,032 in-state / $11,171 out-of-state	$54,647	37%	Yes*	529 mi
6	Renton Technical College	63.3	$6,308 in-state / $7,369 out-of-state	$56,466	46%	Yes*	526 mi
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7	Columbia Basin College	61.3	$6,555 in-state / $8,668 out-of-state	$67,608	33%	—	389 mi
8	Mountainland Technical College	59.3	Contact school for pricing	$39,284	84%	—	451 mi
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9	Yakima Valley College	55.9	$5,312 in-state / $5,873 out-of-state	$51,006	29%	—	452 mi
10	Seattle Central College	55.0	$5,184 in-state / $5,745 out-of-state	$60,072	32%	—	533 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.

Montana employs approximately 330 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,670 ¹. The state’s concentration of sterile processing technician jobs is 1.28x 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 Montana, 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 (Montana): $44,670 per year ¹

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

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Montana? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Montana is $44,670 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,810 and experienced professionals can earn $56,770 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Montana

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 Montana

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 Montana

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Montana

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Billings	110	$45,940	$45,330	$35,930	$56,770
Missoula	50	$46,080	$45,590	$38,560	$55,890
Bozeman	40	$44,670	$48,780	$37,330	$58,830

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 Montana? Montana currently employs approximately 330 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 Montana with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Montana compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Montana is $44,670, which is $1,820 below the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Montana

Best Trade Schools in Montana (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)