Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Overview

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has a national median salary of $109,370 per year, with +7.6% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

Description

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

Work Values

• Independence
• Achievement
• Working Conditions

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
• Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
• Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
• Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.

Work Activities

• Working with Computers
• Analyzing Data or Information
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems
• Getting Information
• Processing Information
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
• Thinking Creatively
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Detailed Work Activities

• Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished a master's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Master's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a bachelor's degree.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers:

Video Resources