Career comparison
Biomedical Equipment Technician vs. Sterile Processing Technician
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Biomedical equipment technicians earn more at the median ($61,660 vs. $47,700), while sterile processing technicians usually get to work faster (3–12 months of training). Biomedical equipment technicians maintain and repair the medical equipment hospitals use to monitor and treat patients. Sterile processing technicians clean, inspect, package and sterilize the instruments every surgery depends on.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Biomedical Equipment Technician | Sterile Processing Technician | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $61,660 ($29.64/hr) | $47,700 ($22.93/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $38,490 – $98,280 | $36,410 – $69,950 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +12.6% (much faster than average) | +10.8% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 8,200 | 10,700 |
| Typical entry education | Associate's degree | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | 2 years | 3–12 months |
| Key credential | Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician (CBET) | Certified Registered Central Service Technician (CRCST) |
| Work setting | BMETs work in hospitals, clinics and for equipment service companies. | Technicians work in hospital sterile processing departments, surgery centers and dental and specialty clinics. |
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
Sterile Processing Technician
- Collect and decontaminate used instruments and devices
- Inspect instruments for cleanliness, function and damage
- Assemble instrument trays using count sheets
- Package and label items for sterilization
- Operate steam and low-temperature sterilizers
How they’re similar
Both careers involve hands-on work, indoor work, high responsibility, and in-demand. They sit in different fields, mechanics, maintenance & manufacturing and healthcare, 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 sterile processing technician if…
- I like detailed, hands-on work
- I want to work in healthcare without direct patient care
- I follow procedures exactly
Still torn? Take the Biomedical Equipment Technician fit quiz and the Sterile Processing Technician fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biomedical equipment technician or sterile processing technician?
Biomedical Equipment Technicians earn more at the median: $61,660 versus $47,700 for sterile processing technicians, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Sterile Processing Technicians typically train faster (3–12 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 +10.8% for sterile processing technicians.