What Medical Equipment Preparers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Medical Equipment Preparers this way: "Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Organize and assemble routine or specialty surgical instrument trays or other sterilized supplies, filling special requests as needed"; "Clean instruments to prepare them for sterilization"; "Operate and maintain steam autoclaves, keeping records of loads completed, items in loads, and maintenance procedures performed"; "Record sterilizer test results"; "Start equipment and observe gauges and equipment operation to detect malfunctions and to ensure equipment is operating to prescribed standards".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Medical Equipment Preparers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 79,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 88,600 in 2035, an increase of 8,700 jobs (+10.8%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 10,700 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 13.4% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,700, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Medical Equipment Preparers earn the most
Across the 2 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $55,986 in New York to $56,189 in New Jersey, a gap of $203 (1.00 times). 2 of those 2 states average above the BLS national median of $47,700 and 0 average at or below it.
New Jersey employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 7,390, which is 51.7% of the 14,290 counted across them. New York follows with 6,900.
Highest-paying states
New Jersey ($56,189) and New York ($55,986) lead the ranking, while New York ($55,986) and New Jersey ($56,189) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Occupations related to Medical Equipment Preparers
Dental Assistants, Medical Assistants, Phlebotomists and Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (31-9000) include Massage Therapists.
Frequently asked questions about Medical Equipment Preparers
How much do Medical Equipment Preparers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $47,700. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $55,986 to $56,189.
Which state pays Medical Equipment Preparers the most?
New Jersey, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $56,189. New York is next at $55,986.
Is Medical Equipment Preparers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 10.8% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 10,700 openings a year.
What education do Medical Equipment Preparers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.