Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
High school diploma or equivalent
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Medical equipment preparers play a key role in healthcare by working with instruments and devices that support patient care. The field employs about 76,000 people nationwide, with a national median annual salary of $46,490. Employment is projected to grow by 10.0%, and there are an estimated 11,000 annual openings, indicating consistent movement and opportunity in the occupation. Individuals in this career benefit from being detail oriented, mechanically inclined, and comfortable using science and technology in their work. Physical strength and stamina, fine motor skills, and strong interpersonal abilities also contribute to success. Typical entry into the field requires a high school diploma or equivalent, making it accessible to career starters and career changers who want to move into healthcare support roles. For those exploring related options, similar occupations include veterinary assistants and laboratory animal caretakers, surgical technologists, veterinary technologists and technicians, healthcare support workers (all other), and radiologic technologists and technicians.
The national median annual salary for medical equipment preparers is $46,490, but pay can vary significantly by location. Several states stand out for higher median salaries, including California at $61,370, Washington at $58,830, Massachusetts at $58,580, and New York at $57,320. Colorado is closer to the national level at $47,700. Metro areas show even larger differences. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $82,140, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $81,090, both well above the national median. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has a median salary of $58,870, while Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH is at $60,840 and Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV at $50,600. These figures suggest that earning potential is notably higher in certain states and metro areas, particularly in specific parts of California and the Northeast.
Medical equipment preparers have a national employment base of about 76,000 workers, with projected employment growth of 10.0%. This growth projection, combined with an estimated 11,000 annual openings, suggests that people entering or advancing in this field can expect ongoing hiring activity. The number of openings reflects both new positions and movement within the occupation, creating opportunities for new entrants as well as experienced workers seeking different employers or locations. The consistent 10.0% growth rate is also reflected in top states and metro areas, which list the same projected growth figure. Overall, the combination of a defined national employment base, clear growth projection, and a steady stream of annual openings makes this a career worth considering for individuals interested in healthcare support roles that focus on equipment and instruments.
Location plays an important role in career planning for medical equipment preparers. Among states, California offers a median salary of $61,370 with 8,720 employed and an opportunity score of 67.38, the highest among the listed states. Massachusetts and New York also show relatively strong opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, with median salaries of $58,580 and $57,320, respectively. Washington’s median salary is $58,830 with an opportunity score of 56.29, while Colorado’s median salary is $47,700 with an opportunity score of 56.97. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA area stands out with a median salary of $81,090 and an opportunity score of 77.42. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro follows closely with an opportunity score of 77.27 and median salary of $58,870. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports the highest listed median salary at $82,140. These differences show that both state and metro choices can significantly influence pay levels and overall opportunity.
The typical education requirement for medical equipment preparers is a high school diploma or equivalent, which makes this career accessible without the need for a college degree. While formal education requirements are relatively modest, the skill profile for this occupation is diverse. Being detail oriented is important, as is having physical strength and stamina and fine motor skills. Science knowledge, mechanical ability, and comfort with computers and information technology are also key skills. Project management and adaptability support working in environments where tasks and priorities can shift. Interpersonal skills and customer service abilities help when interacting with colleagues or other stakeholders. Together, these skills suggest that success in this field depends on a combination of hands-on ability, comfort with technical tools, and effective interaction with others. For individuals who already possess many of these strengths, the field can offer a path into healthcare support with a relatively straightforward educational starting point.
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