New Jersey pay at a glance
| Hourly pay | BLS, New Jersey | BLS, U.S. | Live staff listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $18.29 | $17.50 | – |
| 25th percentile | $23.11 | $19.13 | – |
| Median | $24.18 | $22.93 | $23.06 |
| 75th percentile | $28.97 | $28.16 | – |
| 90th percentile | $33.45 | $33.63 | – |
| Mean | $26.03 | $24.28 | – |
| Sample | 2,440 employed | 77,420 employed | 2 listings with hourly pay |
The BLS median in New Jersey is $24.18 an hour, 5% above the national median of $22.93. That ranks New Jersey 8 of 51 (the 50 states and DC) by median pay. BLS's annual median is $50,280. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile)
Live staff technician listings in New Jersey have a median of $23.06 an hour across 2 listings that publish hourly pay, ranging from $23.06 to $23.06 (midpoints). That is a small sample, so treat it as an indication rather than a benchmark.
Travel contracts here quote a median of $1,162 a week (3 listings), which can include tax-free stipends. See travel SPD pay.
Pay by metro area in New Jersey
| Metro area (BLS) | Median hourly | vs New Jersey | Employed | Live jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | $28.30 | +17% | 5,270 | 5 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $24.22 | 0% | 1,660 | 13 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | $21.69 | −10% | 270 | – |
| Trenton-Princeton | $22.20 | −8% | 100 | – |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | $24.45 | +1% | 90 | – |
BLS OEWS May 2025 for 31-9093, metro areas with a published estimate (5); BLS did not publish one for 1 other New Jersey metro area. Metros that cross state lines are listed in each state. Live jobs: listings on SterileShift placed in metros with the Census Bureau's delineation files, Oct 21, 2026. Sources: BLS Public Data API: OEWS May 2025 metro and state series for 31-9093, U.S. Census Bureau: July 2023 metropolitan area delineation files (used to place listings in metros)
Live sterile processing jobs in New Jersey
5 live openings in 4 listings (2 staff, 2 travel), as of Oct 21, 2026.
5 live openings in New Jersey. See them all
Certification rules
New Jersey requires certification. New hires: within 3 years of employment (A national sterile processing certification recognized by NJ DOH). State rules explained · law text
Getting started: how to become an SPD tech · CRCST vs CBSPD · entry-level jobs
How these numbers work
- BLS figures are the May 2025 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey for SOC 31-9093 (medical equipment preparers), pulled from the official BLS data API. They reflect wages actually paid to everyone in the job, including long-tenured staff.
- Posted figures are the median of the midpoint of each live listing's advertised range, for staff technician roles paid hourly, before shift differentials and sign-on bonuses. They rebuild every day.
- Compare every state on one page: salary by state.
More salary guides
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a sterile processing tech make in New Jersey?
The BLS median wage for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093, which covers sterile processing technicians) in New Jersey was $24.18 an hour, or $50,280 a year, in May 2025, against $22.93 nationally. In live listings on SterileShift (Oct 21, 2026), the median posted pay for staff technicians in New Jersey is $23.06 an hour across 2 listings that show hourly pay. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
What is the pay range for sterile processing techs in New Jersey?
BLS puts the 10th percentile at $18.29 an hour and the 90th percentile at $33.45 in New Jersey (May 2025); the middle half earn between $23.11 and $28.97. Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Which metro area in New Jersey pays sterile processing techs the most?
Of the 5 New Jersey metro areas with a published BLS estimate, New York-Newark-Jersey City has the highest median, $28.30 an hour (May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Does New Jersey pay sterile processing techs more than other states?
By BLS median hourly wage for 31-9093, New Jersey ranks 8 of 51 (the 50 states and DC) ($24.18 vs the national $22.93, May 2025). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile).
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 31-9093 Medical Equipment Preparers (occupation profile)
- BLS Public Data API: OEWS May 2025 metro and state series for 31-9093
- U.S. Census Bureau: July 2023 metropolitan area delineation files (used to place listings in metros)
- HSPA: Legislative certification issues (state map)
- SterileShift job data: 585 live sterile processing openings collected from public hospital and staffing-agency career sites, Oct 21, 2026. How we collect it.
SterileShift is not affiliated with HSPA, CBSPD or the BLS. Rules, fees and dates change: confirm on the official sites before you apply or pay for anything.