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The average salary for a Special Equipment Technician in the U.S. is around $42,388 per year. This can vary based on numerous factors such as location, experience level, and the specific sector in which one works. For instance, technicians in states like California and Texas often see higher salaries due to increased demand and cost of living. Additionally, cities such as San Francisco and New York are known to offer some of the highest wages in this profession.
As you progress in your career, your experience level can significantly impact your earning potential. Entry-level technicians may start around $30,000, while those with advanced skills and certifications can earn upwards of $60,000 annually. It's also beneficial to stay updated on industry trends and technology advancements, as this can enhance job prospects and salary negotiations.
Whether you are just starting or looking to advance in your career, understanding the salary landscape can help you make informed decisions about your professional journey.
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The average special equipment technician salary in Alaska, California, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average special equipment technician salary states are Nebraska, Iowa, and North Carolina.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $56,137 | $26.99 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $48,342 | $23.24 |
| 3 | New York | $50,358 | $24.21 |
| 4 | Colorado | $46,592 | $22.40 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | $43,549 | $20.94 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $48,316 | $23.23 |
| 7 | Oregon | $44,612 | $21.45 |
| 8 | California | $52,726 | $25.35 |
| 9 | West Virginia | $40,201 | $19.33 |
| 10 | New Hampshire | $43,129 | $20.74 |
| 11 | Michigan | $40,945 | $19.69 |
| 12 | Washington | $45,312 | $21.78 |
| 13 | Vermont | $40,280 | $19.37 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $46,258 | $22.24 |
| 15 | Kentucky | $37,565 | $18.06 |
| 16 | Maryland | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| 17 | Maine | $38,778 | $18.64 |
| 18 | Tennessee | $37,544 | $18.05 |
| 19 | Arizona | $40,332 | $19.39 |
| 20 | New Mexico | $38,928 | $18.72 |
| 21 | Utah | $38,537 | $18.53 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $39,773 | $19.12 |
| 23 | Texas | $41,238 | $19.83 |
| 24 | Virginia | $44,995 | $21.63 |
| 25 | South Carolina | $38,520 | $18.52 |
| 26 | Idaho | $39,211 | $18.85 |
| 27 | Ohio | $38,360 | $18.44 |
| 28 | Mississippi | $37,506 | $18.03 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $37,288 | $17.93 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $48,692 | $23.41 |
| 31 | Missouri | $37,535 | $18.05 |
| 32 | Wyoming | $36,828 | $17.71 |
| 33 | Alabama | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| 34 | Hawaii | $40,145 | $19.30 |
| 35 | North Dakota | $38,368 | $18.45 |
| 36 | South Dakota | $37,753 | $18.15 |
| 37 | Montana | $36,395 | $17.50 |
| 38 | Illinois | $38,029 | $18.28 |
| 39 | Delaware | $39,861 | $19.16 |
| 40 | Kansas | $37,171 | $17.87 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $35,326 | $16.98 |
| 42 | Iowa | $34,625 | $16.65 |
| 43 | Wisconsin | $36,126 | $17.37 |
| 44 | Rhode Island | $39,198 | $18.85 |
| 45 | Indiana | $35,732 | $17.18 |
| 46 | Georgia | $36,697 | $17.64 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $32,731 | $15.74 |
| 48 | North Carolina | $33,963 | $16.33 |
| 49 | Nevada | $33,075 | $15.90 |
| 50 | Florida | $35,668 | $17.15 |
| 51 | Minnesota | $33,500 | $16.11 |
The highest-paying cities for special equipment technicians are Hayward, CA, Rockville Centre, NY, and Englewood, CO.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hayward, CA | $54,480 | $26.19 |
| 2 | Rockville Centre, NY | $50,659 | $24.36 |
| 3 | Englewood, CO | $46,587 | $22.40 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| 5 | Chesapeake, VA | $44,789 | $21.53 |
| 6 | Wheeling, WV | $41,146 | $19.78 |
| 7 | Richardson, TX | $40,331 | $19.39 |
| 8 | South Portland, ME | $39,432 | $18.96 |
| 9 | Oak Park, IL | $38,183 | $18.36 |
| 10 | Saint Louis, MO | $37,632 | $18.09 |
| 11 | Burlington, NC | $34,438 | $16.56 |
| 12 | Coon Rapids, MN | $33,590 | $16.15 |
| 13 | North Little Rock, AR | $32,777 | $15.76 |
A special equipment technician's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $66,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $53,000 | $4,417 | $25 |
| Average | $42,388 | $3,532 | $20 |
| 25th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
The highest paying types of special equipment technicians are biomedical equipment technician, audio technician, and audio visual specialist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Videographer | $43,620 | $3,635 | $20.97 | 1,267 |
| Video Coordinator | $39,127 | $3,261 | $18.81 | 13,613 |
| Video Production Internship | $33,585 | $2,799 | $16.15 | 105,041 |
| Technician | $38,045 | $3,170 | $18.29 | 596,842 |
| AV Technician | $44,144 | $3,679 | $21.22 | 30,907 |
| Audio Technician | $51,473 | $4,289 | $24.75 | 30,951 |
Top companies hiring special equipment technicians now:
Special equipment technician salaries at Boston Public Schools and Baptist Health are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average special equipment technician salary at companies like General Dynamics and Chesapeake Regional Healthcare are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston Public Schools | $69,126 | $33.23 |
| 2 | Baptist Health | $56,723 | $27.27 |
| 3 | General Dynamics | $56,487 | $27.16 |
| 4 | Chesapeake Regional Healthcare | $55,049 | $26.47 |
| 5 | Methodist Health System | $54,494 | $26.20 |
| 6 | University of California-Berkeley | $52,354 | $25.17 |
| 7 | Kings Canyon Unified School District | $51,116 | $24.57 |
| 8 | CenterPoint Energy | $48,891 | $23.51 |
| 9 | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $48,399 | $23.27 |
| 10 | Csu | $46,053 | $22.14 |
| 11 | AdventHealth | $41,368 | $19.89 |
| 12 | The Hiller Companies | $41,092 | $19.76 |
| 13 | Gulfstream Aerospace | $40,531 | $19.49 |
| 14 | LAUNCH Technical Workforce Solutions | $40,386 | $19.42 |
| 15 | Scioto Services Llc | $40,368 | $19.41 |
| 16 | PDS Tech | $40,337 | $19.39 |
| 17 | Maine Health/maine Mental Health Partners | $38,025 | $18.28 |
| 18 | Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings | $37,449 | $18.00 |
| 19 | California State University, Long Beach | $30,623 | $14.72 |
| 20 | BAYADA Home Health Care | $29,870 | $14.36 |
The average special equipment technician salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Energy | $64,120 | $30.83 |
| 2 | Professional | $44,007 | $21.16 |
| 3 | Health Care | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 4 | Education | $37,174 | $17.87 |
| 5 | Manufacturing | $35,931 | $17.27 |
The average special equipment technician salary has risen by $5,179 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average special equipment technician earned $37,209 annually, but today, they earn $42,388 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for special equipment technicians over the last decade.
Compare special equipment technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare special equipment technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $42,400 | $20.38 | +5.8% |
| 2025 | $39,900 | $19.20 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $38,700 | $18.60 | +4.8% |
| 2023 | $36,800 | $17.70 | -0.5% |
| 2022 | $37,000 | $17.78 | -1.7% |
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