How to Become a Medical Equipment Repairer in 2026

    Median salary: $62,630 · +12.9% projected growth (2024–2034)

    O*NET Code: 49-9062.00 · Data from O*NET & BLS · Updated March 2026
    Median Salary
    $62,630
    annual wage
    Job Growth
    +12.9%
    projected 2024–2034
    Education
    Associate's degree
    typical entry
    AI Exposure
    44/100
    exposure score
    Section 01

    What does a Medical Equipment Repairer do?

    Test, adjust, or repair biomedical or electromedical equipment.

    Section 02

    Medical Equipment Repairer Salary in 2026

    The median annual salary for Medical Equipment Repairers is $62,630. The bottom 10% earn around $39,060 while the top 10% earn over $99,290.

    Experience levelAnnual salary
    Entry-level (P10)$39,060
    Early career (P25)$48,100
    Median$62,630
    Experienced (P75)$79,440
    Top earners (P90)$99,290
    10th: $39,060Median: $62,63090th: $99,290

    Highest-paying metros

    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA
    Highest paying
    $91,100
    top metro salary
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
    $83,120
    $-7,980 vs highest
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN
    $80,580
    $-10,520 vs highest
    South Dakota
    $80,580
    $-10,520 vs highest
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
    $80,430
    $-10,670 vs highest
    Ann Arbor, MI
    $80,180
    $-10,920 vs highest
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
    $79,120
    $-11,980 vs highest
    Washington
    $78,620
    $-12,480 vs highest

    Medical Equipment Repairer salary by state

    StateMedian salary
    South Dakotatop$80,580
    Alaska$79,230
    Washington$78,620
    North Dakota$78,480
    Hawaii$75,950
    Maine$75,520
    Massachusetts$74,600
    California$73,860
    Idaho$73,800
    Montana$72,830
    Colorado$72,800
    Connecticut$72,690
    Maryland$72,610
    New Jersey$72,280
    Minnesota$69,000
    Nevada$67,450
    Oregon$67,020
    Wisconsin$65,880
    Virginia$64,620
    Arizona$64,040
    New York$63,720
    Vermont$63,460
    Indiana$62,920
    Kentucky$62,740
    Tennessee$62,340
    Illinois$62,180
    Louisiana$60,880
    Pennsylvania$60,780
    Ohio$60,600
    Michigan$60,480
    Rhode Island$60,390
    Texas$60,250
    Utah$59,980
    North Carolina$59,430
    Missouri$58,350
    District of Columbia$57,900
    Iowa$57,860
    New Hampshire$56,770
    Nebraska$56,250
    West Virginia$55,770
    New Mexico$54,210
    Alabama$52,550
    Georgia$51,750
    Florida$51,490
    Mississippi$49,400
    Kansas$49,040
    Oklahoma$47,310
    Arkansas$44,620
    Wyoming$44,070
    South Carolina$42,350

    How to earn more as a Medical Equipment Repairer

    The salary range for Medical Equipment Repairers spans $60,230 — from $39,060 at entry level to $99,290 for top earners. The highest-paying metro area is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $91,100 — $28,470 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile.

    Section 03

    How to get there

    Typical education: Associate's degree
    On-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training

    Starting from high school

    1. Enroll in an associate degree or vocational program (vocational school, community college, or manufacturer training program)
    2. Complete required coursework and hands-on labs (typically 2 years full-time)
    3. Earn professional certifications (EPA Section 608, ASE certifications, manufacturer-specific training)
    4. Complete moderate-term on-the-job training under supervision
    5. Build portfolio of work and pursue advancement after 1–2 years

    Community colleges and vocational schools offer the most affordable path. Look for programs accredited by relevant industry bodies. Many schools offer evening and weekend schedules for working students. Financial aid, Pell Grants, and workforce development scholarships can significantly reduce costs. Some programs include co-op or internship components that provide paid work experience while you learn.

    2–3 years to full qualification $5K–$25K (community college / trade school)

    Community college is the most cost-effective. Workforce development grants and employer tuition reimbursement can reduce out-of-pocket costs.

    Switching from a related field

    1. Evaluate transfer credits from your existing education — many general courses count
    2. Complete a bridge or accelerated certification program
    3. Earn industry certifications (EPA Section 608, ASE certifications, manufacturer-specific training)
    4. Apply for positions emphasizing your combined experience

    If you already hold an associate degree or higher in a related field, you can often complete a bridge program in 6–12 months. Many community colleges evaluate prior learning and grant credit for relevant work experience. Professional certifications may have experience-based eligibility that your career history already satisfies.

    6 months–2 years $2K–$12K

    Bridge programs are shorter and cheaper than full degree programs. Some professional associations offer member discounts on certification exams.

    Career change from an unrelated field

    1. Enroll in a vocational program or associate degree
    2. Complete core technical coursework (often accelerated for adults)
    3. Complete moderate-term on-the-job training
    4. Leverage your previous career experience for faster advancement

    Adult learners often complete programs faster than traditional students because of stronger study skills and motivation. Many community colleges and vocational schools offer accelerated evening/weekend tracks designed for working adults. Your prior professional experience — project management, communication, problem-solving — gives you an advantage even if the technical skills are new.

    1–3 years $5K–$25K

    Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) grants may cover full tuition for qualifying career changers.

    Already working in another career?

    See how your skills transfer to Medical Equipment Repairer — free. PathScorer maps your experience against the requirements and shows you what you already qualify for.

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    Section 06

    AI and automation outlook

    44/100

    The Medical Equipment Repairer role has a moderate AI exposure score. Some tasks may be augmented by AI tools, but the core role remains human-driven.

    See full AI risk breakdown
    Section 07

    Related careers to consider

    Based on skill overlap analysis — these occupations share core competencies with Medical Equipment Repairer.

    Get your personalized Medical Equipment Repairer transition plan

    Includes step-by-step roadmap, skill gap analysis, financial feasibility, and salary comparison by city. Takes 2 minutes.

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    Step-by-step roadmap Skill gap breakdown Financial feasibility Salary by city
    Section 08

    Frequently asked questions

    SOC: 49-9062.00 · Data: O*NET 29.1, BLS OEWS 2024, BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034