Career comparison
Biomedical Equipment Technician vs. Electronics Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Electronics technicians earn more at the median ($78,190 vs. $61,660), while biomedical equipment technicians usually get to work faster (2 years of training). Biomedical equipment technicians maintain and repair the medical equipment hospitals use to monitor and treat patients. Electronics technicians build, test and troubleshoot electronic circuits and equipment.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Biomedical Equipment Technician | Electronics Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,660 ($29.64/hr) | $78,190 ($37.59/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,490 – $98,280 | $49,510 – $115,700 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.6% (much faster than average) | +2.4% (slower than average) |
| Openings per year | 8,200 | 8,100 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Associate's degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 2 years |
| Key credential | Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) | ETA International Certified Electronics Technician (CET) |
| Work setting | BMETs work in hospitals, clinics and for equipment service companies. | Technicians work in labs, factories and field sites, at benches with test equipment, often in clean or ESD-controlled areas.. |
What each job does
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
Electronics Technician
- Build and assemble prototypes
- Solder and rework circuit boards
- Test circuits and systems
- Troubleshoot electronic failures
- Calibrate and maintain equipment
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, problem-solving, indoor work, and working independently. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and technology, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and attention to detail.
Which should you choose?
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
Choose electronics technician if…
- I like electronics
- I enjoy troubleshooting
- I have steady hands
Still torn? Take the Biomedical Equipment Technician fit quiz and the Electronics Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biomedical equipment technician or electronics technician?
Electronics Technicians earn more at the median: $78,190 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 electronics technicians (2 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects biomedical equipment technicians to grow +12.6% from 2025–35, compared with +2.4% for electronics technicians.