Medical Equipment Preparers vs. Nursing Assistants: Who Earns More?
Medical Equipment Preparers out-earn Nursing Assistants by $5K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Medical Equipment Preparers land at $47,700 and Nursing Assistants at $42,260. The education gap is real: medical equipment preparer programs typically require postsecondary nondegree award, while nursing assistant programs require postsecondary nondegree award. Top-paying state for Medical Equipment Preparers is California ($61,370); for Nursing Assistants it's Oregon ($49,830).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Medical Equipment Preparers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
Medical Equipment Preparers earn more nationally. The median is $47,700 for Medical Equipment Preparers versus $42,260 for Nursing Assistants, a difference of $5K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
Medical Equipment Preparers has the better 10-year outlook at 10% projected growth, compared to 2.3% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Medical Equipment Preparers or Nursing Assistants?
Medical Equipment Preparers typically requires postsecondary nondegree award. Nursing Assistants requires postsecondary nondegree award. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Medical Equipment Preparers get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Medical Equipment Preparers at $61,370/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Medical Equipment Preparers vs. Nursing Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Medical Equipment Preparers earn $61,370 vs. $47,630 for Nursing Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.