by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Biomedical Technology covers Biomedical Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Basic Engineering Principles And Technical Skills In Support Of Engineers Engaged In Developing Biological Or Medical Systems And Products. Includes Instruction In Instrument Calibration, Design And Installation Testing, System Safety And Maintenance Procedures, Procurement And Installation Procedures, And Report Preparation. Examples: [Bioengineering Technology]. Continue reading for the essential details every biomedical technology major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering biomedical technology programs.
Across the country, biomedical technology is a widely-pursued major, with 1,460 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Biomedical Technology Schools ranking analyzes these 77 schools to determine the best overall colleges for biomedical technology students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of biomedical technology programs later in this article.
Programs in Biomedical Technology build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations biomedical technology graduates commonly enter.
The skill set built by a biomedical technology program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a biomedical technology major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several biomedical technology degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 244 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 602 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 51 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 563 |
People currently working in careers related to biomedical technology tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | 41.6% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 31.6% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 9.7% |
| Some college courses | 9.4% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 5.1% |
| Master’s degree | 1.3% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.2% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in biomedical technology careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying biomedical technology prepares you for many career paths. These are some of the most common occupations related to biomedical technology.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to biomedical technology.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Equipment Repairers | 463,567 | -3.2% |
| Photonics Technicians | 306,018 | 1.6% |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | 295,668 | 3.0% |
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | 169,705 | 2.0% |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | 64,481 | 14.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of biomedical technology graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $55,527 |
| 4 years | $62,211 |
| 5 years | $69,356 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for biomedical technology graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers biomedical technology grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other | $121,642 |
| Photonics Technicians | $106,964 |
| Calibration Technologists and Technicians | $92,586 |
| Medical Equipment Repairers | $71,099 |
| Non-Destructive Testing Specialists | $57,631 |
With 77 different biomedical technology programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased biomedical technology school rankings to help you.
If you are interested in biomedical technology, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
