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Biomedical Engineer

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What Does it Take to Be a Biomedical Engineer?

Career Description Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Life As a Biomedical Engineer: What Do They Do?

  • Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments.
  • Install, adjust, maintain, repair, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment.
  • Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities.
  • Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
  • Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
  • Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about the field through writing or consulting.

Things a Biomedical Engineer Should Know How to Do

Below is a list of the skills most Biomedical Engineers say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

  • Biomedical Technician
  • Biomedical Engineering Technician
  • Supplier Quality Engineer (SQE)
  • Biomedical Manager
  • Biomedical Service Engineer

Is There Going to be Demand for Biomedical Engineers?

In the United States, there were 21,300 jobs for Biomedical Engineer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,500 new jobs for Biomedical Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 1,600 yearly job openings in this field.

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The states with the most job growth for Biomedical Engineer are Utah, Arkansas, and Nebraska. Watch out if you plan on working in Oklahoma, Louisiana, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Biomedical Engineer Salary

The salary for Biomedical Engineers ranges between about $51,890 and $144,350 a year.

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Biomedical Engineers who work in Minnesota, Connecticut, or Maryland, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Biomedical Engineers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Arizona $103,650
Arkansas $66,840
California $101,210
Colorado $96,880
Connecticut $102,970
District of Columbia $80,320
Florida $78,670
Georgia $81,870
Illinois $98,420
Indiana $85,310
Iowa $68,260
Kansas $77,150
Maryland $100,200
Massachusetts $105,580
Michigan $79,650
Minnesota $114,380
Missouri $75,150
Nebraska $82,540
Nevada $96,100
New Jersey $113,140
New York $101,460
North Carolina $93,450
Ohio $84,700
Oklahoma $67,300
Oregon $94,440
Pennsylvania $78,840
South Carolina $64,460
Tennessee $77,920
Texas $100,680
Utah $70,980
Vermont $95,280
Virginia $97,400
Washington $94,850
West Virginia $85,280
Wisconsin $71,750

What Tools do Biomedical Engineers Use?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Biomedical Engineers may use on a daily basis:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Hypertext markup language HTML
  • JavaScript
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Python
  • Microsoft Access
  • Word processing software
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Project
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Structured query language SQL
  • The MathWorks MATLAB
  • Microsoft Visual Basic
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • R
  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Minitab

Becoming a Biomedical Engineer

What education or degrees do I need to become a Biomedical Engineer?

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How Long Does it Take to Become a Biomedical Engineer?

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Where Biomedical Engineers Work

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The table below shows the approximate number of Biomedical Engineers employed by various industries.

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Similar Careers

Those thinking about becoming a Biomedical Engineer might also be interested in the following careers:

References:

Image Credit: UC Davis College of Engineering via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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