Medical Equipment Preparer salary in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Medical Equipment Preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn a median of $42,260 a year ($20.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,120 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $47,700. Pay here is 6% lower than the North Carolina statewide median of $45,130. There are 0.46 medical equipment preparers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,420, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical equipment preparers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| 25th percentile | $36,810 | $17.70 |
| Median | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| 75th percentile | $47,140 | $22.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Average (mean) | $44,420 | $21.36 |
Half of medical equipment preparers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,760.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,625.38 |
| Weekly | $812.69 |
| Hourly | $20.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,260 salary, see how much house you can afford in North Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Equipment Preparer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $46,630 | 320 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $46,420 | 630 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $45,590 | 190 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $45,130 | 480 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $44,230 | n/a |
| Asheville, NC | $43,540 | 120 |
| Wilmington, NC | $40,580 | 130 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $38,890 | 560 |
| Greenville, NC | $38,280 | 130 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $37,890 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for medical equipment preparers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $61,370 |
| Washington | $58,830 |
| Massachusetts | $58,580 |
| New York | $57,320 |
| Delaware | $53,300 |
| Hawaii | $51,630 |
| Rhode Island | $51,460 |
| New Jersey | $50,280 |
| Minnesota | $50,070 |
| Alaska | $49,920 |
See Medical Equipment Preparer pay in every state or the North Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $43,290 | $20.81 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,720 | $23.43 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $31,390 | $15.09 |
| Nursing Assistant | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,800 | $30.67 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $63,120 | $30.35 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $34,760 | $16.71 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9093. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical equipment preparer make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The median salary for medical equipment preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area is $42,260 a year, or $20.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical equipment preparers make in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
The top 10% of medical equipment preparers in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area earn at least $56,120 a year. The top 25% earn $47,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical equipment preparers in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,810 a year, and a quarter of medical equipment preparers earn $36,810 or less.
How many medical equipment preparers work in Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC?
About 70 medical equipment preparers are employed in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.