Career comparison
Biomedical Engineer vs. Biomedical Equipment Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Biomedical engineers earn more at the median ($109,370 vs. $61,660), while biomedical equipment technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Biomedical engineers design medical devices, implants and technology that improve patient care. 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
| Biomedical Engineer | Biomedical Equipment Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $109,370 ($52.58/hr) | $61,660 ($29.64/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $71,850 – $168,180 | $38,490 – $98,280 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.6% (much faster than average) | +12.6% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,200 | 8,200 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 4-year engineering degree | 2 years |
| Key credential | RAC | Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) |
| Work setting | Biomedical engineers work in labs, offices, hospitals and manufacturing.. | BMETs work in hospitals, clinics and for equipment service companies. |
What each job does
Biomedical Engineer
- Design medical devices
- Test prototypes
- Analyze data
- Work with clinicians
- Document for FDA
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 helping others, in-demand, and problem-solving. They sit in different fields, science, engineering & lab and mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing, but share transferable skills such as problem-solving and problem solving.
Which should you choose?
Choose biomedical engineer if…
- I like biology and engineering
- I want to help patients
- I like testing
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 Biomedical Engineer fit quiz and the Biomedical Equipment Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biomedical engineer or biomedical equipment technician?
Biomedical Engineers earn more at the median: $109,370 versus $61,660 for biomedical equipment technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Biomedical Equipment Technicians typically train faster (2 years) than biomedical engineers (4-year engineering degree).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects biomedical equipment technicians to grow +12.6% from 2025–35, compared with +7.6% for biomedical engineers.