Career comparison
Biomedical Equipment Technician vs. IT Support Specialist
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
IT support specialists earn more at the median ($61,860 vs. $61,660), while IT support specialists usually get to work faster (3–6 months of training). Biomedical equipment technicians maintain and repair the medical equipment hospitals use to monitor and treat patients. IT support specialists help people solve computer, account and network problems: the classic way into IT.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Biomedical Equipment Technician | IT Support Specialist | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,660 ($29.64/hr) | $61,860 ($29.74/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,490 – $98,280 | $40,980 – $100,540 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.6% (much faster than average) | -3.5% (a projected decline) |
| Openings per year | 8,200 | 39,700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | Some college, no degree |
| Training time | 2 years | 3–6 months |
| Key credential | Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) | CompTIA A+ |
| Work setting | BMETs work in hospitals, clinics and for equipment service companies. | IT support specialists work for companies of every kind, managed service providers (MSPs), schools and government. |
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
IT Support Specialist
- Respond to help desk tickets, calls and chats
- Troubleshoot hardware, software and connectivity issues
- Set up and configure computers, phones and peripherals
- Manage user accounts, passwords and permissions
- Install updates and support security tools
How they’re similar
Both careers involve problem-solving, indoor work, and helping others. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and technology, but share transferable skills such as problem solving and patience.
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 IT support specialist if…
- I enjoy fixing tech problems
- I stay patient when people are frustrated
- I like learning new technology
Still torn? Take the Biomedical Equipment Technician fit quiz and the IT Support Specialist fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biomedical equipment technician or IT support specialist?
IT Support Specialists earn more at the median: $61,860 versus $61,660 for biomedical equipment technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
IT Support Specialists typically train faster (3–6 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 -3.5% for IT support specialists.