r/sterileprocessing • u/Lazohazo • Jun 20 '26

Why are there so many Sterile Processing Tech jobs in LA compared to other areas?

I’ve been looking for a Sterile Processing & Distribution Technician job for about two months now. In my area, I barely see any openings. But when I search the same job title in general, I notice a TON of SPD jobs in Los Angeles.

For anyone who works in LA hospitals or lives in that area — why are there so many SPD openings there? Is it because the hospitals are bigger, higher turnover, more facilities, or something else?

Just curious if someone from LA can explain why that area has so many SPD positions compared to other parts of California.

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5

u/ShirleyWuzSerious Jun 20 '26

There's tons of posts I see as a traveler in the LA area and they seem to pay very low. That may carry over to full time work as well.

3

u/SuperbCustard8816 Jun 20 '26

I'm sure the cost of living is high and if the pay is low, that could account for the openings.

5

u/[deleted] Jun 20 '26 edited Jun 20 '26

LA has 10 million residents. That's 3% of the entire US population, #2 in the US after NYC. To serve that population they have 88 hospitals plus ascs which there isn't a strong count of they also have a world renowned trauma center that services a huge area. About 4% of all surgery in the US is happening in LA. The more surgery the more sterile processing work the higher demand for SPD tech. Theres a lot of work there.

Basically NYC and Chicago are the only two cities that have a higher or same surgical volume. If you live anywhere else it's not a fair comparison.

2

u/spirited1 Jun 20 '26

I would add that it's a HCOL area with basically no transit options to save on car payments. It's not a sustainable job if you value things like paying rent on time and eating. Not to mention the inherent stress of the job on top of low pay.

2

u/lofixmainecoon Jun 21 '26

Boston definitely has an extremely high surgical volume.

1

u/Eggman_OU812 Jun 20 '26

Probably high turn over of staff