Employment of medical equipment repairers is expected to grow 31 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Employment growth will stem from both greater demand for healthcare services and the increasing types and complexity of the equipment these workers maintain and repair.
A major factor in the greater demand for healthcare services is the aging population. As people age, they usually need more medical care. With the expected increase in the number of older adults and with people living longer, health professionals are prescribing more medical tests that use new, complex equipment.
Changes in technology are bringing hospitals and health professionals more types of equipment and more complex equipment. Medical equipment repairers will be needed to maintain and repair CAT scans, electrocardiograms, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasounds, x-ray machines, and other new technology. They also will be needed to maintain and repair the sophisticated machines that private practitioners and technicians use to diagnose and treat problems with eyes, teeth, and other parts of the body. And they will still be needed to maintain and repair less complex health equipment, such as electric beds and wheelchairs.
A combination of rapid employment growth and the need to replace workers leaving the occupation will likely result in excellent job opportunities from 2010 to 2020. Candidates who have an associate’s degree in biomedical equipment technology or engineering should have the best job prospects. Job opportunities should be even better for those who are willing to relocate, because often there are relatively few qualified applicants in rural areas.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition