Career comparison
Avionics Technician vs. Biomedical Equipment Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Avionics technicians earn more at the median ($82,280 vs. $61,660), while avionics technicians usually get to work faster (12–24 months of training). Avionics technicians install, test and repair the electronics that fly and navigate aircraft. Biomedical equipment technicians maintain and repair the medical equipment hospitals use to monitor and treat patients.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Avionics Technician | Biomedical Equipment Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $82,280 ($39.56/hr) | $61,660 ($29.64/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $49,410 – $113,680 | $38,490 – $98,280 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +9.4% (much faster than average) | +12.6% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,700 | 8,200 |
| Typical entry education | Postsecondary nondegree award | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 12–24 months | 2 years |
| Key credential | FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate | Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) |
| Work setting | Technicians work in hangars, repair stations and flight lines, often in cramped cockpits and equipment bays. | BMETs work in hospitals, clinics and for equipment service companies. |
What each job does
Avionics Technician
- Troubleshoot avionics and electrical systems
- Install and modify avionics equipment and wiring
- Test systems with specialized test equipment
- Read wiring diagrams and maintenance manuals
- Perform inspections and functional checks
Biomedical Equipment Technician
- Perform preventive maintenance on medical devices
- Run electrical safety and performance tests
- Troubleshoot and repair equipment
- Calibrate devices to manufacturer specifications
- Manage recalls and device alerts
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and high responsibility. Both are part of the mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose avionics technician if…
- I love electronics and aircraft
- I’m precise with small connections
- I like troubleshooting systems
Choose biomedical equipment technician if…
- I like electronics and fixing things
- I want to support healthcare without direct patient care
- I can stay calm when something urgent fails
Still torn? Take the Avionics Technician fit quiz and the Biomedical Equipment Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, avionics technician or biomedical equipment technician?
Avionics Technicians earn more at the median: $82,280 versus $61,660 for biomedical equipment technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Avionics Technicians typically train faster (12–24 months) than biomedical equipment technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects biomedical equipment technicians to grow +12.6% from 2025–35, compared with +9.4% for avionics technicians.