A biomedical equipment technician — BMET, biomed, or HTM technician depending on who you ask — keeps medical equipment safe and functional in hospitals, clinics, and increasingly out in the field with imaging service organizations.
It is one of the few healthcare careers that combines hands-on electronics work, regulatory knowledge, and direct patient impact without requiring a four-year degree or clinical licensure. Here is a realistic picture of how to get in.
The three common entry paths
- Associate degree in biomedical equipment technology (2 years) — the standard path. Programs exist at community colleges and technical schools across the US.
- Military electronics training — the Army, Navy, and Air Force all train biomed equivalents (e.g., Army 68A). Veterans transition into civilian BMET roles directly with strong placement support.
- Lateral entry from electronics or IT — less common but viable. Many hospitals will hire a strong electronics tech and train the medical-specific knowledge on the job.
What you actually learn in school
A typical BMET associate degree covers electronics fundamentals (DC/AC circuits, digital logic, microprocessors), anatomy and physiology, medical device theory, electrical safety and IEC 60601, networking, and a clinical internship.
The internship matters more than the coursework. Most BMET grads get their first job at the hospital where they interned.
Certifications worth pursuing
- CBET (Certified Biomedical Equipment Technician) — the AAMI / ACI certification. Most common; usually attempted within 2 years of starting work.
- CRES (Certified Radiology Equipment Specialist) — for imaging service careers; higher pay ceiling.
- CLES (Certified Laboratory Equipment Specialist) — for lab equipment roles.
- OEM service certifications (GE, Philips, Siemens, Hillrom, Medtronic) — required for many imaging and high-end repair roles. Usually employer-paid.
What it pays
BLS data and AAMI salary surveys put US BMET pay roughly: entry-level $50–60k, mid-career $65–85k, senior BMET / imaging specialist $85–120k, HTM management $100–150k+. Cost of living, region, hospital system size, and OEM certifications all move the number significantly.
Imaging (CT, MRI, cath lab) and radiation oncology equipment service pay 20–40% above general biomed. Field service positions often pay more than in-house but require heavy travel.
What the day-to-day looks like
A typical hospital BMET's day is a mix of scheduled PMs, repair calls, incoming inspections, documentation, and clinical staff support. You will spend time on patient floors, in the shop, on the phone with OEM tech support, and at a computer writing reports.
It is physical (you push carts and lift equipment), technical (you read schematics and debug software), regulatory (you live in EC.02.04), and social (you spend a lot of time talking to nurses, doctors, and managers). People who thrive in it like all of that.
What to do in your first 90 days on the job
- Learn the CMMS and where service records live
- Shadow PMs on the highest-volume devices in your facility (typically infusion pumps, monitors, defibrillators)
- Get fluent in your facility's EC.02.04 policy and AEM program
- Build relationships on the floors — nursing leadership is your fastest path to information
- Track every job in writing. Habits formed in the first 90 days stick.