Travel Sterile Processing Technician Salary Guide

Sterile processing technicians, also called medical equipment preparers, central processing technicians and sterile preparation technicians, clean and maintain medical and laboratory equipment. They typically perform the following duties:

  • Inspecting equipment for defects

  • Sterilizing medical equipment and/or laboratory equipment

  • Maintaining supply inventories

  • Delivering equipment to individual departments within a medical facility

  • Packaging sterile surgical instruments

How do you become a sterile processing technician?

Becoming a sterile processing technician is a great way to break into the healthcare field, as you don't need a 4-year degree. The exact education and training requirements depend on where you live. In New York, for example, you may qualify for on-the-job training as an intern, but you can't get a full-time or part-time sterile processing job unless you pass a nationally accredited central service exam. Some states have no specific training requirements, but employers may require national certification and/or completion of an approved training program.

What credentials/licensing does a sterile processing technician require?

As a sterile processing technician, you have two main certification options. The Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution, Inc., offers the Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) credential, which has 125 scored questions. Applicants must meet one of the following requirements to sit for the exam:

  • Completion of a sterile processing technician program with a grade of 70 or higher

  • 6 months of full-time employment in a related allied health profession, plus performance of sterile processing activities

  • 12 months of full-time employment involving sterile processing activities

  • 12 months of experience in healthcare product sales or another field that's closely related to sterile processing

The CBSPD also offers the Certified Sterile Processing Management credential for sterile processing professionals who want to assume leadership roles. To sit for the exam, you must meet one of the following requirements:

  • 36 months of full-time experience in sterile processing

  • 24 months of full-time experience in allied health and completion of a sterile processing management course

  • 24 months of full-time experience as a hands-on sterile processing manager or supervisor

Average Travel Sterile Processing Technician Salary

$1,410/week

The average salary for a Travel Sterile Processing Technician is $1,410 per week. This is 70% lower than the practicing US average of $2,398.

Last updated on October 29, 2024. Based on 106 active jobs on Vivian.com in the last 7 days.

Salaries for Travel Sterile Processing Technician compared to Allied Health Professional National Averages

$1,410/week

70% lower than the practicing US average.

$2,398/week

United States

Where do Travel Sterile Processing Technicians get paid the most?
StateAverage Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
New York$1,536$1,903
What are the highest paying Employers and Agencies for Travel Sterile Processing Technician jobs?
Average Weekly SalaryMax Weekly Salary
ViTalent$2,208$2,208
Talent4Health$1,827$2,282
GQR Healthcare-Allied$1,820$1,820
PHP$1,721$1,903
Vighter$1,703$1,703
HealthTrust Workforce Solutions HCA$1,662$1,894
RightPro Staffing$1,651$1,651
Genie Healthcare$1,640$1,640
Gifted Healthcare$1,616$1,616
Enterprise Solutions, Inc (NimbusNest, Inc)$1,601$1,601

Last updated on October 29, 2024. Information based on active jobs on Vivian.com.

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Travel Sterile Processing Technician Career Guide

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How can you increase your pay as a sterile processing technician?

As an SPT, you can also benefit from accepting travel assignments. On average, travel SPTs earn 22.6% more than staff SPTs, according to Vivian Health’s salary data from April 14, 2023, making it possible to increase your income without working longer hours or taking additional classes. A third option is to obtain the CSPDT credential, as many employers pay more to hire certified sterile processing professionals.

How much does a travel sterile processing technician make?

According to Vivian Health’s salary data from April 14, 2023, travel sterile processing technicians earned an average of $1,401 per week.

Do travel sterile processing technicians earn more than staff sterile processing technicians?

Although your earnings depend on many factors, travel SPTs typically earn more than staff SPTs. As noted previously, staff sterile processing technicians earned an average of $32.91 per hour, per Vivian Health’s salary data on April 14, 2023. A review of Vivian Health's data for the week ending April 8, 2023, showed that travel sterile processing technicians earned an average of $1,401 per week, or just over $2 more compared to the staff rate when divided by a 40-hour workweek.

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Travel Sterile Processing Technician FAQs

What professional certifications can potentially increase my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Earning your Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technicians (CASSPT), Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER), Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS), Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT), Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) often increases your salary potential as a sterile processing technician or makes you eligible for another position with greater responsibilities, which also might include a bump in wages.

Can having a Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technicians (CASSPT) boost my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes, having a Certified Ambulatory Surgery Sterile Processing Technicians (CASSPT) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a sterile processing technician.

Can having a Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) boost my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes, having a Certified Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a sterile processing technician.

Can having a Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) boost my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes, having a Certified Instrument Specialist (CIS) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a sterile processing technician.

Can having a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) boost my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes, having a Certified Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (CSPDT) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a sterile processing technician.

Can having a Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) boost my salary as a Sterile Processing Technician?

Yes, having a Certified Sterile Processing Management (CSPM) or any relevant professional certification has the potential to boost your salary as a sterile processing technician.

Can earning a degree improve my salary as a Sterile Processing Tech?

Yes, advanced education often opens new career paths that usually lead to higher salaries. Sterile processing techs may benefit financially from pursuing a Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) or a Certification Board for Sterile Processing and Distribution (CBSPD).

Where can I learn more about working as a Travel Sterile Processing Technician?

Take a look at Vivian's Travel Sterile Processing Technician Career Guide for more information, including required education, responsibilities, pros and cons and more.