How much does a medical equipment preparer make?
The median medical equipment preparer in the United States earns $46,490 per year, about $22.35 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all medical equipment preparers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 31-9093.
Medical equipment preparer salary range
Pay for medical equipment preparers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $35,400 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $67,070. The average (mean) wage of $48,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,400 | $17.02 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $38,910 | $18.71 | |
| Median (50th) | $46,490 | $22.35 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $56,160 | $27.00 | |
| 90th percentile | $67,070 | $32.25 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Medical equipment preparer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Medical equipment preparers earn the most in California at $62,710 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $32,700. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $62,710 | 8,630 |
| District of Columbia | $54,390 | 220 |
| Delaware | $52,080 | 250 |
| Rhode Island | $51,980 | 200 |
| New York | $51,880 | 5,340 |
| Massachusetts | $51,610 | 1,670 |
| Hawaii | $51,470 | 330 |
| Washington | $51,190 | 1,680 |
| New Jersey | $49,090 | 2,230 |
| Oregon | $49,050 | 1,690 |
| Minnesota | $48,580 | 1,260 |
| Alaska | $48,330 | 200 |
| Maryland | $47,630 | 1,240 |
| New Hampshire | $47,460 | 450 |
| Illinois | $47,100 | 2,860 |
| Colorado | $46,870 | 1,520 |
| Georgia | $46,700 | 1,890 |
| Wyoming | $46,700 | 80 |
| Connecticut | $46,660 | 910 |
| Vermont | $46,630 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $46,170 | 1,250 |
| Arizona | $46,060 | 2,180 |
| Texas | $46,010 | 3,790 |
| Utah | $45,250 | 670 |
| Michigan | $45,230 | 2,550 |
| Maine | $44,840 | 480 |
| Virginia | $44,760 | 2,040 |
| Idaho | $44,450 | 420 |
| Ohio | $44,150 | 3,210 |
| Florida | $44,070 | 4,150 |
| Tennessee | $44,030 | 1,510 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,920 | 2,730 |
| Kentucky | $42,870 | 1,010 |
| Oklahoma | $42,570 | 720 |
| West Virginia | $42,400 | 480 |
| Missouri | $42,390 | 1,610 |
| South Carolina | $41,650 | 1,250 |
| Nevada | $41,600 | 540 |
| North Carolina | $41,590 | 2,740 |
| Montana | $40,830 | 300 |
| New Mexico | $40,720 | 220 |
| Indiana | $40,710 | 1,500 |
| Kansas | $40,410 | 660 |
| Nebraska | $40,230 | 520 |
| Iowa | $39,680 | 600 |
| South Dakota | $39,120 | 380 |
| North Dakota | $37,480 | 340 |
| Arkansas | $37,050 | 410 |
| Louisiana | $36,320 | 680 |
| Alabama | $35,040 | 890 |
| Mississippi | $32,700 | 290 |
State median wages for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for medical equipment preparers
The BLS projects employment of medical equipment preparers to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 79,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 88,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 10,700 openings a year for medical equipment preparers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a medical equipment preparer
The typical entry-level education for medical equipment preparers is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a medical equipment preparer earns
Certification, work setting, shift, and region shape pay. Hospitals and high cost metros pay above clinics, nursing homes, and rural facilities.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $62,710) and the lowest (Mississippi, $32,700) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 72,760 people work as medical equipment preparers in the United States. At $46,490 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Medical equipment preparer salary FAQ
How much does a medical equipment preparer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a medical equipment preparer is $22.35. The middle half of medical equipment preparers earn between $18.71 and $27.00 per hour.
What is the highest medical equipment preparer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of medical equipment preparers earn more than $67,070 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a medical equipment preparer make a year?
The median annual salary for a medical equipment preparer is $46,490. The average (mean) wage of $48,990 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a medical equipment preparer a well paid job?
At $46,490 a year, a medical equipment preparer earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 72,760 people work as medical equipment preparers in the United States.
Which state pays medical equipment preparers the most?
California has the highest median salary for medical equipment preparers at $62,710 a year. District of Columbia ($54,390) and Delaware ($52,080) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a medical equipment preparer a good career?
Employment of medical equipment preparers is projected to grow 10.8% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 10,700 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a medical equipment preparer?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for medical equipment preparers as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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