Sterile Processing Technician vs Surgical Technologist
Pay, skills and open jobs side by side, from current job postings across the US.
Pay
Sterile Processing Technician
$54,100 typical, a year
Most Sterile Processing Technicians earn $47,800 to $65,300 a year.
From 205 postings that list pay
1,821 open jobs now
Sterile Processing Technician salaries Sterile Processing Technician jobs
Surgical Technologist
$68,400 typical, a year
Most Surgical Technologists earn $58,200 to $79,900 a year.
From 544 postings that list pay
5,754 open jobs now
Surgical Technologists typically earn about $14,300 more a year than Sterile Processing Technicians.
What each one does
Sterile Processing Technician
- Clean and disinfect surgical instruments and medical equipment according to protocols.
- Inspect instruments for functionality, cleanliness, and damage before sterilization.
- Assemble surgical trays and instrument sets for procedures.
- Operate sterilization equipment, including autoclaves and washer-disinfectors.
- Maintain accurate sterilization logs and inventory records.
- Follow infection control and safety guidelines consistently.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Surgical Technologist
- Pass instruments and supplies to the surgeon during procedures.
- Prepare the operating room with instruments, equipment, and supplies.
- Maintain a sterile field during surgical procedures.
- Assist with patient positioning, transport, and draping.
- Perform accurate counts of instruments, sponges, and needles.
- Clean and sterilize surgical instruments and equipment.
Summed up from 30 job postings
Skills employers ask for
Sterile Processing Technician
Asked for in both
- High School Diploma 5 in 10 postings
- Surgical Instrument Preparation 2 in 10 postings
- Operating Room Instrumentation 1 in 10 postings
More common in Sterile Processing Technician postings
- Sterile Processing 9 in 10 postings
- CRCST Certification 5 in 10 postings
- Laboratory Decontamination 3 in 10 postings
- Medical Decontamination 2 in 10 postings
- Infection Control 2 in 10 postings
- Medical Terminology 1 in 10 postings
- Inventory Management 1 in 10 postings
Surgical Technologist
Asked for in both
- High School Diploma 3 in 10 postings
- Surgical Instrument Preparation 1 in 10 postings
- Operating Room Instrumentation 1 in 10 postings
More common in Surgical Technologist postings
- Tech in Surgery-Certified 5 in 10 postings
- Basic Life Support 4 in 10 postings
- Aseptic Techniques 2 in 10 postings
- NBSTSA Certification 2 in 10 postings
- Aseptic Field 1 in 10 postings
- BCLS (Basic Cardiac Life Support) 1 in 10 postings
- Surgical Assisting 1 in 10 postings
Out of each role's current postings.
Open jobs
Sterile Processing Technician
Central Sterile Supply Tech
Schneck Medical CenterPay not stated Seymour, IN OnsiteCRCST CertificationSterile Processing- Pay not stated Main Grady Campus (Downtown Atlanta)Sterile ProcessingPatient-Centered Care
Sterile Processing Technician II
Sutter Health$36.66 - $51.32/hr Employer statedPalo Alto, California, United States of AmericaMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft ExcelMedical TerminologyAnatomyMicrosoft Office +5
Surgical Technologist
Surgical Technologist
North Arkansas Regional Medical CenterPay not stated Harrison, AR 72601Medical TerminologyBasic Life SupportAnatomyObstetricsPhysiology +8CVOR Surgical Tech 2
Southern Ohio Medical CenterPay not stated Portsmouth, OH OnsiteMedical TerminologyBasic Life SupportCardiopulmonary BypassRegistered NurseOpen Heart SurgerySurgical Technician, Certified - Per Diem
Sutter Health$36.83 - $51.55/hr Employer statedSanta Barbara, California, United States of AmericaMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft OutlookMedical TerminologyAnatomyMicrosoft Office +4
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