How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in West Virginia (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

West Virginia employs about 530 sterile processing technicians earning a median $44,830 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 West Virginia

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
163.8Contact school for pricing$32,88360%Yes*186 mi
258.2$4,265 in-state / $8,860 out-of-state$52,81431%Yes*195 mi
Sponsored Ad
355.7$3,675 in-state / $8,556 out-of-state$48,98041%Yes*175 mi
447.6$3,249 in-state / $7,249 out-of-state$49,69831%Yes*197 mi
Sponsored Ad
546.3$4,790 in-state / $7,886 out-of-state$49,44023%Yes*153 mi
640.9$4,842 in-state / $12,583 out-of-state$54,51924%Yes*140 mi
Sponsored Ad
732.7$5,136 in-state / $7,872 out-of-state$37,02129%Yes*69 mi
8Not ratedContact school for pricingNot reportedNot reportedYes*122 mi
Sponsored Ad

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.

West Virginia employs approximately 530 sterile processing technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,830 1. The state’s concentration of sterile processing technician jobs is 1.51x 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 West Virginia, 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 (West Virginia): $44,830 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in West Virginia

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

What do sterile processing technicians earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in West Virginia is $44,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $34,690 and experienced professionals can earn $51,970 or more 1.

How to Become a Sterile Processing Technician in West Virginia

  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 West Virginia

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 West Virginia

Medical Equipment Preparers Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria1,070$50,600$54,410$39,110$76,890
Charleston100$45,610$42,850$35,080$51,970
Huntington-Ashland100$46,170$47,860$37,420$62,420
Hagerstown-Martinsburg50$47,630$47,580$37,890$58,990

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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 530 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Confirm reciprocity rules with the program and employer.

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

How much do sterile processing technicians earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for sterile processing technicians in West Virginia is $44,830, which is $1,660 below the national median of $46,490 according to BLS data 1.

In West Virginia

Top local programs

Related trades & nearby areas

Explore More Trades in West Virginia

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)