Healthcare Support

How much does a medical equipment preparer make?

The median medical equipment preparer in the United States earns $47,700 per year, about $22.93 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all medical equipment preparers earn more, and half earn less.

Median annual salary
$47,700
Median hourly wage
$22.93 /hr
Employed in the U.S.
77,420

Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. 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 $36,410 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $69,950. The average (mean) wage of $50,510 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 $36,410 $17.50 Lowest paid
25th percentile $39,800 $19.13
Median (50th) $47,700 $22.93 Midpoint
75th percentile $58,570 $28.16
90th percentile $69,950 $33.63 Highest paid

Figures are national wage estimates for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.

Medical equipment preparer salary by state

Where you work changes the paycheck. Medical equipment preparers earn the most in California at $61,370 a year, and the least in Mississippi at $35,160. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.

State Median annual Employed
California $61,370 8,720
Washington $58,830 1,670
Massachusetts $58,580 1,900
New York $57,320 5,190
Delaware $53,300 190
Hawaii $51,630 220
Rhode Island $51,460 190
New Jersey $50,280 2,440
Minnesota $50,070 1,390
Alaska $49,920 220
Vermont $48,990 140
New Hampshire $48,900 380
Oregon $48,890 1,570
Maryland $48,680 1,160
District of Columbia $48,670 310
Wyoming $48,210 120
Illinois $48,050 2,800
Connecticut $47,980 1,060
Utah $47,980 600
Georgia $47,850 1,860
Colorado $47,700 1,950
Wisconsin $47,570 1,380
Tennessee $46,990 1,590
Texas $46,970 4,520
Kentucky $46,880 1,120
Maine $46,860 510
Arizona $46,790 2,320
Nevada $46,640 510
Virginia $46,580 1,840
Idaho $46,450 580
Florida $45,890 5,250
Pennsylvania $45,820 3,450
Michigan $45,670 2,420
Ohio $45,540 3,210
Kansas $45,280 740
Indiana $45,210 1,750
North Carolina $45,130 2,900
West Virginia $44,830 530
Montana $44,670 330
Missouri $43,480 1,970
Oklahoma $43,460 690
South Carolina $42,510 1,160
South Dakota $42,330 480
Nebraska $41,480 550
Iowa $39,930 590
North Dakota $38,910 350
Arkansas $38,100 320
New Mexico $36,720 300
Louisiana $35,960 620
Alabama $35,800 1,000
Mississippi $35,160 350

State median wages for medical equipment preparers (SOC 31-9093), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. 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, $61,370) and the lowest (Mississippi, $35,160) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.

About 77,420 people work as medical equipment preparers in the United States. At $47,700 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 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 $22.93. The middle half of medical equipment preparers earn between $19.13 and $28.16 per hour.

What is the highest medical equipment preparer salary?

The highest paid 10 percent of medical equipment preparers earn more than $69,950 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 $47,700. The average (mean) wage of $50,510 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 $47,700 a year, a medical equipment preparer earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 77,420 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 $61,370 a year. Washington ($58,830) and Massachusetts ($58,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.

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.

Related salaries

See more in Healthcare Support salaries or browse the highest paying jobs in the U.S.

Sources. National and state wage and employment figures: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 and the OEWS state files. Growth, openings, education, and training: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2025–2035). Every figure on this page is published by the BLS and is shown without adjustment. View the originals at bls.gov/oes and bls.gov/emp. Last updated 2026-05-15.