How long does sterile processing technician training take in Rhode Island?

Most people become a Sterile Processing Technician in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island (2026)

Q: How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Rhode Island?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), sterile processing technicians in Rhode Island earned a median annual wage of approximately $51,460. Employment concentration in Rhode Island is roughly 0.78 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 Rhode Island?

Rhode Island currently employs approximately 190 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

Rhode Island medical equipment preparers earn a median annual wage of $51,460 ($24.74/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 190 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 7.9% above the national median of $47,700 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $51,460 ($24.74/hr)
25th percentile: $47,580 per year
75th percentile: $59,610 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $62,500 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $39,940 per year
Workers employed in Rhode Island: 190
Versus national median: 7.9% above the U.S. median of $47,700
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.78 - this occupation is less concentrated in Rhode Island than the national average

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

Rhode Island employs about 190 sterile processing technicians earning a median $51,460 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 Rhode Island

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	CUNY Queensborough Community College	65.6	$5,210 in-state / $8,090 out-of-state	$45,408	24%	Yes*	140 mi
2	Rockland Community College	59.7	$6,862	$48,706	29%	Yes*	145 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	Massachusetts Bay Community College	58.1	$5,856 in-state / $10,800 out-of-state	$56,076	17%	Yes*	37 mi
4	CUNY Hostos Community College	56.5	$5,254 in-state / $8,134 out-of-state	$45,126	16%	Yes*	146 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Nassau Community College	56.3	$6,330 in-state / $12,130 out-of-state	$51,431	23%	—	134 mi
6	CUNY Bronx Community College	54.4	$5,206 in-state / $8,086 out-of-state	$44,993	16%	Yes*	144 mi
Sponsored Ad
7	Bristol Community College	49.8	$5,832 in-state / $10,776 out-of-state	$48,840	22%	Yes*	17 mi
8	Connecticut State Community College	47.6	$5,338 in-state / $15,596 out-of-state	$50,130	24%	Yes*	64 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Swedish Institute a College of Health Sciences	32.9	$27,066	$47,162	57%	—	151 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.

Rhode Island employs approximately 190 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,460 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 Rhode Island, 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 (Rhode Island): $51,460 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Rhode Island

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Rhode Island is $51,460 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,940 and experienced professionals can earn $62,500 or more ¹.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

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

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	340	$48,930	$51,450	$39,600	$62,500

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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 190 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 Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in Rhode Island is $51,460, which is $4,970 above the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data ¹.

In Rhode Island

Best Trade Schools in Rhode Island (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Rhode Island

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)