How much does a medical appliance technician make?
The median medical appliance technician in the United States earns $48,030 per year, about $23.09 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all medical appliance technicians earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 51-9082.
Medical appliance technician salary range
Pay for medical appliance technicians spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $36,510 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $75,740. The average (mean) wage of $52,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36,510 | $17.55 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $42,210 | $20.29 | |
| Median (50th) | $48,030 | $23.09 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $60,580 | $29.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $75,740 | $36.41 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for medical appliance technicians (SOC 51-9082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Medical appliance technician salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Medical appliance technicians earn the most in Arizona at $72,760 a year, and the least in Kansas at $37,090. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $72,760 | 300 |
| Pennsylvania | $60,920 | 200 |
| Massachusetts | $59,810 | N/A |
| Colorado | $59,560 | N/A |
| Virginia | $56,260 | 260 |
| New Hampshire | $54,980 | 40 |
| Nebraska | $54,770 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $54,650 | 600 |
| Connecticut | $54,430 | 130 |
| Minnesota | $53,750 | N/A |
| South Dakota | $52,950 | 30 |
| New Jersey | $52,400 | 310 |
| Iowa | $51,790 | 80 |
| California | $51,530 | 1,300 |
| Louisiana | $50,770 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $49,870 | 110 |
| Michigan | $49,140 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $49,100 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $48,890 | 100 |
| New York | $48,080 | 720 |
| Washington | $48,030 | 310 |
| Idaho | $48,020 | 40 |
| Maine | $47,670 | 30 |
| Maryland | $46,940 | 160 |
| Missouri | $46,750 | 350 |
| Oregon | $46,450 | 130 |
| Texas | $46,430 | 310 |
| Illinois | $46,370 | 790 |
| Florida | $46,110 | 1,800 |
| Nevada | $45,870 | 90 |
| Indiana | $45,820 | 130 |
| Ohio | $45,710 | 420 |
| Kentucky | $45,690 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $45,100 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $44,700 | 370 |
| Utah | $44,110 | 170 |
| South Carolina | $42,230 | 200 |
| Arkansas | $39,450 | 60 |
| Georgia | $37,440 | 50 |
| Kansas | $37,090 | N/A |
State median wages for medical appliance technicians (SOC 51-9082), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for medical appliance technicians
The BLS projects employment of medical appliance technicians to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 11,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 11,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,300 openings a year for medical appliance technicians. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a medical appliance technician
The typical entry-level education for medical appliance technicians is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a medical appliance technician earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Arizona, $72,760) and the lowest (Kansas, $37,090) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 11,280 people work as medical appliance technicians in the United States. At $48,030 a year, the job pays below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Medical appliance technician salary FAQ
How much does a medical appliance technician make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a medical appliance technician is $23.09. The middle half of medical appliance technicians earn between $20.29 and $29.12 per hour.
What is the highest medical appliance technician salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of medical appliance technicians earn more than $75,740 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a medical appliance technician make a year?
The median annual salary for a medical appliance technician is $48,030. The average (mean) wage of $52,730 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a medical appliance technician a well paid job?
At $48,030 a year, a medical appliance technician earns below the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 11,280 people work as medical appliance technicians in the United States.
Which state pays medical appliance technicians the most?
Arizona has the highest median salary for medical appliance technicians at $72,760 a year. Pennsylvania ($60,920) and Massachusetts ($59,810) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a medical appliance technician a good career?
Employment of medical appliance technicians is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,300 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a medical appliance technician?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for medical appliance technicians as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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