Prevailing Wage for Medical Equipment Preparers
Prevailing wage for Medical Equipment Preparers (SOC 31-9093) is set by the DOL using regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. Whether your offer is for a Central Processing Technician (CPT), Central Service Technician (CST), or Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST), DOL assigns four experience-based wage levels, and the floor shifts significantly depending on where the worksite is located.
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Entry-level filing for candidates with limited experience in sterile processing or central supply, typically performing routine decontamination and sterilization tasks under close supervision. No independent judgment expected; usually corresponds to candidates in their first one to two years in the field.
The most common filing level for Medical Equipment Preparers. Covers technicians with working knowledge of sterilization standards and instrument tracking, performing standard duties with minimal supervision. Typically reflects two to four years of experience and familiarity with facility protocols.
Experienced technicians who troubleshoot sterilization cycles, mentor junior staff, or handle complex instrument sets for surgical specialties. DOL expects demonstrated independent judgment, advanced technical knowledge, and the ability to adapt procedures without direct supervision.
Senior or lead scope: technicians overseeing a central sterile processing department, developing quality assurance protocols, or training staff across multiple service lines. DOL treats Level 4 as full competence with supervisory responsibility and comprehensive mastery of the occupation.
Prevailing Wage for Medical Equipment Preparers by OES area
Each shape is a DOL OES area, the unit prevailing wage is published for.
What’s an OES area?
The Department of Labor publishes prevailing wages for geographic zones called OES areas. Every U.S. county belongs to exactly one, and the wage floor applies across the whole area. A worker in Oakland gets the San Francisco metro wage, not a separate Oakland wage.
Top 10 cities · Level 1
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See which U.S. employers are actively hiring for Medical Equipment Preparers and sponsoring H-1B, OPT, and green card visas at or above the prevailing wage.
Search visa-sponsored jobsPrevailing Wage Guide for Medical Equipment Preparers
Watch for title aliasing in sterile processing
Employers sometimes post Central Sterile Supply Technician or Instrument Technician roles under broader healthcare support SOC codes, which can carry a lower prevailing wage floor than SOC 31-9093. Confirm the LCA uses the Medical Equipment Preparers code before accepting any sponsored offer.
Expect Level 2 filings at most hospital systems
Large health systems typically file H-1B and PERM cases for sterile processing roles at Level 2, reflecting standard protocol-driven duties. If your offer involves leading a processing unit or training staff, a Level 3 filing is more defensible and may yield a meaningfully higher wage floor.
Factor in California metro premiums when comparing offers
The prevailing wage gap between top-paying California metros and Gulf Coast or Puerto Rico markets for this occupation is substantial. An offer in San Jose or San Francisco will carry a significantly higher L1 floor than an identical role in Lake Charles or Dothan, affecting your visa compliance baseline directly.
Use Migrate Mate to find employers sponsoring this role
Migrate Mate shows which hospitals and healthcare employers have a verified history of sponsoring Medical Equipment Preparers, letting you focus your search on facilities that have actually filed for this SOC rather than those claiming sponsorship willingness without a track record.
Jobs for Medical Equipment Preparers are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Jobs for Medical Equipment PreparersPrevailing Wage by Reported Job Title
DOL classifies these titles under SOC 31-9093.00 alongside Medical Equipment Preparers, so the same four-tier wage schedule applies to each. Tap a title to see the full breakdown.
Central Processing Technician (CPT) Prevailing Wage
Central Processing Technician (CPT) Prevailing Wage
Central Processing Technician (CPT) positions fall under SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Central Service Technician (CST) Prevailing Wage
Central Service Technician (CST) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Central Service Technician (CST) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician) Prevailing Wage
Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician) Prevailing Wage
Central Sterile Supply Technician (CSS Technician) is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Prevailing Wage
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) Prevailing Wage
Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) positions fall under SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Instrument Technician Prevailing Wage
Instrument Technician Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Instrument Technician for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sterile Preparation Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterile Preparation Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterile Preparation Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech) Prevailing Wage
Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech) Prevailing Wage
Sterile Processing and Distribution Technician (SPD Tech) positions fall under SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech) Prevailing Wage
Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech) Prevailing Wage
When a U.S. employer sponsors a Sterile Processing Technician (Sterile Processing Tech) for a work visa or green card, DOL applies the prevailing wage schedule for SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). Wage level reflects the role's experience and responsibility, not the title itself.
Sterile Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterile Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterile Technician is an O*NET-reported job title within SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). All roles in this SOC share the same prevailing wage tiers. The level an employer files at depends on what the role requires, not which title is used.
Sterilization Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterilization Technician Prevailing Wage
Sterilization Technician positions fall under SOC 31-9093.00 (Medical Equipment Preparers). DOL OFLC publishes one four-tier prevailing wage schedule for the entire classification; employers filing H-1B, E-3, or PERM petitions for this title use the levels below.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does DOL set the prevailing wage for Medical Equipment Preparers?
DOL uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics to calculate prevailing wages by occupation and metro area. For Medical Equipment Preparers under SOC 31-9093, OFLC converts those survey percentiles into four wage levels. Employers file a Labor Condition Application citing the level that matches the position's actual duties and experience requirements.
What do the four wage levels mean and how do I identify mine?
The four levels reflect experience and supervisory scope. Level 1 covers entry-level technicians under close supervision. Level 2 applies to qualified technicians working standard protocols independently. Level 3 covers experienced technicians with advanced judgment or mentoring duties. Level 4 applies to senior or lead roles with departmental responsibility. Review your job description against these definitions; the level on the LCA must match the actual role, not just the title.
Why does the prevailing wage for the same role vary so much by city?
OFLC calculates wages from regional Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, so the floor reflects local labor market conditions for each metropolitan statistical area. High-cost, high-demand markets like San Jose and San Francisco produce much higher survey medians than rural or lower-wage regions. The worksite address on the LCA determines which metro wage applies, even if your employer is headquartered elsewhere.
What happens if a sponsored job offer is below the prevailing wage?
DOL will not certify an LCA where the offered wage falls below the prevailing wage for the applicable level and worksite. For PERM applications, USCIS also reviews wage compliance. An offer below floor means the employer must either increase the offered salary to meet the requirement or refile at a lower wage level that accurately reflects the position. You cannot accept a sponsored offer below the certified LCA wage.
How do I find and verify the prevailing wage for a specific U.S. location?
Use the OFLC Wage Search tool to look up the current prevailing wage for SOC 31-9093 in any metropolitan area. Enter the occupation code and the worksite's metro to see all four wage levels. OFLC updates these figures annually, so always check the current wage year. Migrate Mate can also help you identify which employers have a track record of sponsoring this role in your target city.
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