How much does a instrument cleaner make?
Answer: A typical instrument cleaner in the United States makes $47,700 a year (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Line up 100 people; this is the one in the middle (median). about 77,000 people work in this job. About the same as the US-wide typical pay ($50,980).
If 100 people had this job
Lowest at bottom-left, highest at top-rightHover over a person to see their yearly pay
Instrument cleaner pay in the United States (May 2025, median and spread)
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $36,410 | $47,700 | $69,950 | about 77,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| California | $61,370 | about 9,000 |
| Washington | $58,830 | about 2,000 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 | about 2,000 |
| New York | $57,320 | about 5,000 |
| New Jersey | $50,280 | about 2,000 |
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, pay can differ with experience, useful certifications, employer type, location, and more complex or specialized tasks. Hours and shift premiums can change total earnings too, but BLS wage estimates exclude overtime and shift differentials.
What if you lived in a different state?
Pay varies a lot by state in the USTop 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
What does a instrument cleaner do?
Prepare, sterilize, install, or clean laboratory or healthcare equipment. May perform routine laboratory tasks and operate or inspect equipment.
What's a typical day like?
They clean instruments, run steam autoclaves, record test results, and check supplies for expired items. They assemble routine or specialty surgical trays and inspect equipment for leaks or worn parts.
How to get this job
In the United States, many start after high school or a GED, often around age 18, and enter with little experience or take a short certificate course. HSPA's CRCST credential requires 400 hands-on hours and an exam.
High school plus some training (preparation level 2 of 5)
Good for people who like building and doing and keeping things organized.
Did you know?
Steam sterilizers are checked with a biological indicator containing bacterial spores—a tiny test that helps show whether sterilization worked.
Similar jobs
Jobs using similar skills (O*NET)Earn more in the same field
Healthcare Support jobs that pay a bit moreSources and data
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.onetonline.org/link/summary/31-9093.00
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/print/wage-differences.htm
- www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-local-training-results.aspx?keyword=
- myhspa.org/certification/become-certified
- www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/disinfection-sterilization/steam-sterilization
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY