# Medical Equipment Preparers

> Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-equipment-preparers
- SOC code: 31-9093.00
- Career family: Healthcare support
- Median annual pay: $47,700 (10th percentile $36,410, 90th percentile $69,950)
- Projected growth: Much faster than average, +10.8%
- Openings a year: 10,700
- Typical entry education: High school diploma
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code RCI)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 96 |
| Investigative (I) | 40 |
| Artistic (A) | 0 |
| Social (S) | 23 |
| Enterprising (E) | 0 |
| Conventional (C) | 76 |

## What you'd do

- Documenting/Recording Information (importance 96/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 89/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 89/100)
- Controlling Machines and Processes (importance 87/100)
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work (importance 86/100)
- Handling and Moving Objects (importance 85/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 84/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 83/100)
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings (importance 82/100)
- Performing General Physical Activities (importance 82/100)

## Skills

Critical Thinking, Monitoring, Quality Control Analysis, Active Listening, Operations Monitoring, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Troubleshooting, Active Learning, Coordination

## Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service, English Language, Biology, Production and Processing, Public Safety and Security, Administrative, Chemistry, Mathematics, Mechanical, Computers and Electronics

## Also called

Aseptic Technician (Aseptic Tech), Central Sterile Processing Technician (Central Sterile Processing Tech), Central Sterile Technician (Central Sterile Tech), Central Sterilization Technician (Central Sterilization Tech), Central Supply Processing Department Technician (CSPDT), Central Supply Technician (Central Supply Tech), Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), CRCST (Certified Registered Central Supply Technician), CSS Technician (Central Sterile Supply Technician), CST (Central Service Technician)

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/5110) (CIP 5110, 824 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [Loma Linda University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/loma-linda-university-1516) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $112,525 | $125,835 | $20,000 |
| [CUNY York College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-york-college-749) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $118,710 | $122,313 | not reported |
| [Stony Brook University SUNY](https://www.collegesref.com/college/stony-brook-university-suny-2611) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $115,173 | $110,827 | $19,000 |
| [Mercy College-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/mercy-college-new-york-1643) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $116,152 | $110,519 | $25,000 |
| [California State University-Dominguez Hills](https://www.collegesref.com/college/california-state-university-dominguez-hills-367) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $46,385 | $109,642 | $21,625 |
| [CUNY Hunter College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cuny-hunter-college-739) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $96,335 | $104,791 | not reported |
| [Farmingdale State College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/farmingdale-state-college-941) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $107,484 | $104,169 | not reported |
| [Marist College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/marist-college-1597) | Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | $108,720 | $101,370 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Surgical Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surgical-technologists): $64,650 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technicians): $62,930 median pay
- [Endoscopy Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/endoscopy-technicians): $48,430 median pay
- [Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists): $62,930 median pay
- [Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/cardiovascular-technologists-and-technicians): $74,310 median pay
- [Surgical Assistants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/surgical-assistants): $66,800 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.