Medical Equipment Preparer Salary
Medical Equipment Preparers earn a median $47,700 a year nationally. Healthcare Support Occupations
U.S. median
$47,700
$22.93 per hour
Range
$36,410 – $69,950
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
77,420
across the U.S.
▲2.6%
Pay trend: The median for medical equipment preparers in the U.S. rose from $46,490 (May 2024) to $47,700 (May 2025). That roughly kept pace with inflation (2.4%).
What medical equipment preparers do
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.8% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 10,700
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of medical equipment preparers is projected to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 10,700 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Medical Equipment Preparer take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$40,507
per year · effective tax rate 15.1%
$3,376Monthly
$1,688Twice a month
$1,558Every 2 weeks
$19.47Hourly
- Federal income tax$3,544
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,957
- Medicare (1.45%)$692
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,507
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,410 | $17.50 | $31,435 |
| 25th percentile | $39,800 | $19.13 | $34,159 |
| Median (50th) | $47,700 | $22.93 | $40,507 |
| 75th percentile | $58,570 | $28.16 | $49,241 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,950 | $33.63 | $58,040 |
Best cities for medical equipment preparers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Los Angeles, CA | $59,520 | $47,610 | $41,923 | 3,010 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $58,870 | $46,900 | $41,666 | 5,270 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $59,520
- New York, NY — $58,870
Medical Equipment Preparer salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $61,370 | −2.1% | $48,961 | $43,680 – $85,240 | 8,720 |
| Washington | $58,830 | +14.9% | $49,450 | $41,210 – $79,880 | 1,670 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | +13.5% | $46,540 | $40,980 – $77,130 | 1,900 |
| New York | $57,320 | +10.5% | $45,738 | $39,140 – $71,000 | 5,190 |
| Delaware | $53,300 | +2.3% | $42,725 | $47,120 – $63,450 | 190 |
| Hawaii | $51,630 | +0.3% | $41,263 | $42,830 – $61,170 | 220 |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 | −1.0% | $42,215 | $39,940 – $62,500 | 190 |
| New Jersey | $50,280 | +2.4% | $41,350 | $38,050 – $69,570 | 2,440 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 | +3.1% | $40,530 | $40,900 – $61,580 | 1,390 |
| Alaska | $49,920 | +3.3% | $42,291 | $45,750 – $77,590 | 220 |
| Vermont | $48,990 | +5.1% | $40,336 | $39,560 – $73,330 | 140 |
| New Hampshire | $48,900 | +3.0% | $41,471 | $40,180 – $62,170 | 380 |
| Oregon | $48,890 | −0.3% | $38,015 | $35,810 – $63,770 | 1,570 |
| Maryland | $48,680 | +2.2% | $39,346 | $37,440 – $62,820 | 1,160 |
| District of Columbia | $48,670 | −10.5% | $39,532 | $39,190 – $77,820 | 310 |
| Wyoming | $48,210 | +3.2% | $40,917 | $37,590 – $60,220 | 120 |
| Illinois | $48,050 | +2.0% | $38,554 | $38,280 – $66,390 | 2,800 |
| Connecticut | $47,980 | +2.8% | $39,498 | $38,910 – $62,690 | 1,060 |
| Utah | $47,980 | +6.0% | $39,539 | $39,760 – $64,920 | 600 |
| Georgia | $47,850 | +2.5% | $38,767 | $36,660 – $62,960 | 1,860 |
| Colorado | $47,700 | +1.8% | $39,117 | $35,760 – $65,170 | 1,950 |
| Wisconsin | $47,570 | +3.0% | $39,090 | $38,170 – $59,180 | 1,380 |
| Tennessee | $46,990 | +6.7% | $39,936 | $35,090 – $60,360 | 1,590 |
| Texas | $46,970 | +2.1% | $39,920 | $35,390 – $69,950 | 4,520 |
| Kentucky | $46,880 | +9.4% | $38,325 | $35,340 – $60,410 | 1,120 |
| Maine | $46,860 | +4.5% | $37,851 | $38,010 – $59,780 | 510 |
| Arizona | $46,790 | +1.6% | $38,815 | $35,290 – $60,760 | 2,320 |
| Nevada | $46,640 | +12.1% | $39,655 | $38,450 – $60,890 | 510 |
| Virginia | $46,580 | +4.1% | $37,743 | $37,320 – $61,280 | 1,840 |
| Idaho | $46,450 | +4.5% | $38,149 | $35,600 – $60,350 | 580 |
| Florida | $45,890 | +4.1% | $39,053 | $35,630 – $62,000 | 5,250 |
| Pennsylvania | $45,820 | +4.3% | $37,590 | $37,500 – $57,070 | 3,450 |
| Michigan | $45,670 | +1.0% | $37,186 | $37,750 – $58,050 | 2,420 |
| Ohio | $45,540 | +3.1% | $38,301 | $36,620 – $57,870 | 3,210 |
| Kansas | $45,280 | +12.1% | $36,836 | $34,320 – $59,750 | 740 |
| Indiana | $45,210 | +11.1% | $37,202 | $35,400 – $60,530 | 1,750 |
| North Carolina | $45,130 | +8.5% | $37,150 | $36,410 – $58,950 | 2,900 |
| West Virginia | $44,830 | +5.7% | $36,910 | $34,690 – $51,970 | 530 |
| Montana | $44,670 | +9.4% | $36,730 | $36,810 – $56,770 | 330 |
| Missouri | $43,480 | +2.6% | $36,010 | $34,510 – $58,420 | 1,970 |
| Oklahoma | $43,460 | +2.1% | $35,690 | $34,400 – $57,770 | 690 |
| South Carolina | $42,510 | +2.1% | $34,943 | $31,840 – $57,910 | 1,160 |
| South Dakota | $42,330 | +8.2% | $36,192 | $31,680 – $54,680 | 480 |
| Nebraska | $41,480 | +3.1% | $34,501 | $36,250 – $57,260 | 550 |
| Iowa | $39,930 | +0.6% | $33,398 | $37,070 – $52,300 | 590 |
| North Dakota | $38,910 | +3.8% | $33,444 | $37,600 – $61,440 | 350 |
| Arkansas | $38,100 | +2.8% | $31,520 | $32,490 – $48,530 | 320 |
| New Mexico | $36,720 | −9.8% | $31,073 | $31,040 – $56,530 | 300 |
| Louisiana | $35,960 | −1.0% | $30,381 | $27,880 – $50,440 | 620 |
| Alabama | $35,800 | +2.2% | $29,420 | $30,180 – $45,670 | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | $35,160 | +7.5% | $29,757 | $30,140 – $47,330 | 350 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +7.4% |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $48,430 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.8% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +12.9% |
| Phlebotomist | $45,230 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +6.8% |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $40,410 | Postsecondary nondegree award | -4.4% |
| Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker | $38,150 | High school diploma or equivalent | +9.1% |
| Pharmacy Aide | $37,680 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Massage Therapist | $58,450 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +15.3% |
| Psychiatric Aide | $44,910 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.9% |
| Nursing Assistant | $42,260 | Postsecondary nondegree award | +2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical equipment preparer make?
The national median salary for medical equipment preparers is $47,700 a year ($22.93 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,410 and the top 10% earn over $69,950. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays medical equipment preparers the most?
California has the highest median pay at $61,370. After taxes and local prices, Los Angeles, CA offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many medical equipment preparers are there in the U.S.?
About 77,420 people work as medical equipment preparers nationwide.