Also called: Sterilization Assistant, Dental Instrument Processor
Cleans, sterilizes, and organizes the instruments used in a dental office.
Runs trays of tools through ultrasonic cleaners and autoclaves, tests that the sterilizer is working, and sets up rooms for the next patients. A common first step toward dental assisting.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
High school diploma, about 0 years after high school. High school diploma; on-the-job training.
Ways in: On-the-job training. Training cost: Get paid while you train.
Growing about average. Steady.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. Automated washers and tracking systems handle more instrument processing; room turnover stays hands-on.
Age 16+. One way to start: Ask dental offices for a sterilization or dental aide job; offices often hire high schoolers
Classes: Biology, Health-science CTE.
Official data: O*NET occupation 31-9093.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.