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Medical Equipment Preparers vs Nursing Assistants: Salary Comparison

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Medical Equipment Preparers

Median Salary
$46,632
Average (Mean)
$48,352
Employed Nationwide
77,410
VS

Nursing Assistants

Median Salary
$41,812
Average (Mean)
$42,553
Employed Nationwide
1,448,920
Medical Equipment Preparers earns $4,820 more (11.5%)
Medical Equipment Preparers vs Nursing Assistants national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Medical Equipment PreparersMedical Equipment PreparersMedical Equipment Preparers: $46,633$46,633Nursing AssistantsNursing AssistantsNursing Assistants: $41,812$41,812

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $46,632 $41,812
Average (Mean) Salary $48,352 $42,553
Total Employment 77,410 1,448,920
States with Higher Pay 47 4

Salary by State: Medical Equipment Preparers vs Nursing Assistants

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Medical Equipment Preparers pays more in 47 states; Nursing Assistants pays more in 4.

State Medical Equipment Preparers Nursing Assistants Difference
Alabama $35,800
$34,140
+$1,660
Alaska $49,920
$46,370
+$3,550
Arizona $46,790
$44,780
+$2,010
Arkansas $38,100
$34,430
+$3,670
California $61,370
$47,630
+$13,740
Colorado $47,700
$47,380
+$320
Connecticut $47,980
$44,790
+$3,190
Delaware $53,300
$42,030
+$11,270
District of Columbia $48,670
$47,700
+$970
Florida $45,890
$37,510
+$8,380
Georgia $47,850
$37,680
+$10,170
Hawaii $51,630
$45,350
+$6,280
Idaho $46,450
$38,650
+$7,800
Illinois $48,050
$45,960
+$2,090
Indiana $45,210
$38,330
+$6,880
Iowa $39,930
$39,350
+$580
Kansas $45,280
$38,010
+$7,270
Kentucky $46,880
$38,370
+$8,510
Louisiana $35,960
$30,510
+$5,450
Maine $46,860
$47,070
$-210
Maryland $48,680
$43,240
+$5,440
Massachusetts $58,580
$46,680
+$11,900
Michigan $45,670
$39,570
+$6,100
Minnesota $50,070
$46,680
+$3,390
Mississippi $35,160
$31,520
+$3,640
Missouri $43,480
$37,680
+$5,800
Montana $44,670
$40,900
+$3,770
Nebraska $41,480
$40,000
+$1,480
Nevada $46,640
$45,490
+$1,150
New Hampshire $48,900
$47,870
+$1,030
New Jersey $50,280
$46,830
+$3,450
New Mexico $36,720
$39,390
$-2,670
New York $57,320
$48,590
+$8,730
North Carolina $45,130
$38,460
+$6,670
North Dakota $38,910
$45,820
$-6,910
Ohio $45,540
$39,010
+$6,530
Oklahoma $43,460
$35,930
+$7,530
Oregon $48,890
$49,830
$-940
Pennsylvania $45,820
$44,590
+$1,230
Rhode Island $51,460
$46,440
+$5,020
South Carolina $42,510
$37,220
+$5,290
South Dakota $42,330
$38,800
+$3,530
Tennessee $46,990
$37,990
+$9,000
Texas $46,970
$37,500
+$9,470
Utah $47,980
$39,840
+$8,140
Vermont $48,990
$47,130
+$1,860
Virginia $46,580
$43,200
+$3,380
Washington $58,830
$49,180
+$9,650
West Virginia $44,830
$36,720
+$8,110
Wisconsin $47,570
$45,130
+$2,440
Wyoming $48,210
$39,160
+$9,050

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Medical Equipment Preparers vs Nursing Assistants salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
On average across all states, a Medical Equipment Preparers earns more than a Nursing Assistants. The national median salary difference is $4,820 (11.5%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Medical Equipment Preparers earn more than a Nursing Assistants?
A Medical Equipment Preparers earns a higher median salary than a Nursing Assistants in 47 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Nursing Assistants pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers vs Nursing Assistants?
The national median salary for a Medical Equipment Preparers is $46,632 per year, compared to $41,812 for a Nursing Assistants, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
There are more people employed as Nursing Assistants. BLS reports approximately 77,410 Medical Equipment Preparers positions and 1,448,920 Nursing Assistants positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
Both Medical Equipment Preparers and Nursing Assistants are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.

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