Architecture & Engineering
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Also called: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech), Engineer, Process Engineer
US median pay
$109,370
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+7.6%
faster than average
Openings a year (US)
1,200
23,800 employed
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
Preparation 4/5 · Considerable preparation
What this job is
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.
What they do day to day
- 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.
- Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
- Develop statistical models or simulations, using statistical or modeling software.
- Read current scientific or trade literature to stay abreast of scientific, industrial, or technological advances.
- Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating or using budgets, or overseeing contract obligations or deadlines.
- Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9/5
- Operations Analysis3.8/5
- Systems Analysis3.6/5
- Systems Evaluation3.5/5
- Technology Design3.4/5
- Time Management3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
Knowledge
- Engineering and Technology4.6/5
- Computers and Electronics4.5/5
- Mathematics4.4/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Design4.0/5
- Biology3.8/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 4 of 5 — Considerable preparation. Usually a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience.
Typical entry education (BLS): Bachelor's degree.
Highest education of people in this job:
- Bachelor's degree43%
- Master's degree26%
- Post-doctoral training13%
Who this job suits
Mostly Investigative
Ideas, research and solving problems
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.