BLS national median · SOC 31-9093
$46,490
$22.35/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr
#83 · Healthcare
Medical equipment preparers Salary
BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $46,490 ($22.35/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 31-9093. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Texas take-home at median
$39,535
15.0% effective
California take-home at median
$37,961
18.4% effective
Key takeaways — Sterile processing techs
- Medical equipment preparers ranks #83 of 92 on this hub with a $46,490 BLS May 2024 national median ($22.35/hr).
- Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $39,535 (15.0% effective employee levy rate). California: $37,961.
- One rank above: Dental assistants at $47,300 (+$810).
- Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.
About Medical equipment preparers wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), the national median annual wage is $46,490 — meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less across the United States.
We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.
Use the compare tool to pit Sterile processing techs against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Healthcare · rank context
Sterile processing techs sits at rank #83 between Dental assistants (#82, $47,300) and Vet techs (#84, $45,980).
Training & licensing context
Most healthcare rows require licensed clinical training — med school, nursing programs, or advanced practice degrees. Compare medians against years in school and residency before judging ROI.
Take-home at BLS median by state
Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.
| State | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $39,535 | 15.0% |
| California | $37,961 | 18.4% |
| New York | $37,590 | 19.1% |
| Florida | $39,535 | 15.0% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every Sterile processing techs job pays the BLS median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches SOC 31-9093 (Medical equipment preparers)
- Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
- Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
- Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating $46,490 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Skipping state tax when comparing two offers at similar gross medians
Sterile processing techs salary FAQs
BLS OEWS May 2024 lists a $46,490 national median (SOC 31-9093) — about $22.35/hr on a 2,080-hour year.
Modeled single-filer take-home at the BLS median: Texas $39,535, California $37,961, New York $37,590, Florida $39,535 (2026 rules).
#83 of 92 occupations on this hub by BLS national median wage.
Dental assistants ranks #82 at $47,300 — $810 above Sterile processing techs.
Veterinary technologists & technicians ranks #84 at $45,980 — $510 below.
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