Biomedical Engineer Career

biomedical-engineer-500Biomedical engineers combine knowledge of engineering, innovation, biological sciences and health systems, in order to cultivate solutions that advance modern medicine. Biomedical engineers are responsible for the development of artificial organs, prosthetics, medical information systems and other health management tools. Without biomedical engineers relentlessly working to innovate modern medicine as we know it , doctors wouldn’t be able to treat patients as effectively as they are able to do today.

A career in biomedical engineering is a spectacular fit for those with an interest in both engineering and medicine. As a biomedical engineer, you will use mathematical and physics-related concepts from engineering as a way to make strides in medical development. Biomedical engineering enables you to gain a variety of skills that can be applied across numerous medical platforms.

Biomedical Engineer Career Snapshot

Biomedical engineers can be found working across multiple disciplines in hospitals and pharmaceutical companies. Biomedical engineers typically work 40 hours weeks and have the option of overtime as per their hospital or company regulations. Opportunities for self-employment are rare in biomedical engineering, as health system development projects are always given to companies, not individuals. Those interested in self-employment opportunities can look into biomedical consulting, which is an up and coming sector.

Further details on a career as a biomedical engineer are listed below (statistics from the May 2015 Bureau of Labor Statistics and Onet Online):

$86,220

is the average yearly pay for biomedical engineers.

23%

increase in employment between 2014 and 2024.

45%

have a Bachelor’s degree while 35% have a Master’s degree.

Biomedical Engineer Education

Biomedical engineers typically hold a four-year college degree, but employment opportunities are also available to those holding an associate’s degree. Technical and development jobs, however, are usually only available to the 45% of candidates holding a bachelor’s degrees, or to the 35% holding master’s degrees. Those with doctoral degrees tend to pursue careers in academia, often with the hope of becoming a tenured professor. Programming certificates are available for biomedical engineering, however, they are not required.

Biomedical Engineer Salaries

According to the BLS.gov, in May 2015, biomedical engineers earned a median pay of around $87,000 annually, while the lowest 10% made around $52,000 and the highest 10% made around $140,000.

Biomedical Engineer Job Duties

In hospitals, biomedical engineers may work as biomedical techniques, making sure maintenance is up-to-date on imaging and blood processing machines being used throughout the hospital. In contrast, biomedical engineers working in pharmaceutical companies may work as test engineers, performing verification and validation on medical devices before they hit the market.

Biomedical Engineer Job Outlook

Since biomedical engineering is an up and coming field, it has a higher than average job outlook and expected growth of 23%. As of 2014, there were around 22,000 jobs available for biomedical engineers nationwide, in 2016, that number has increased greatly. Biomedical engineering is being pursued by more and more undergraduates nationwide, due to its great pay and opportunities.

Biomedical Engineer Skills & Traits

Biomedical Engineer Skill Set:Required Abilities:Tools Used by Biomedical Engineers:Typical Work Activities:
• Critical Thinking
• Science
• Complex Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Reading Comprehension 		• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension 		• Electrometers
• MRI scanners
• pH electrodes
• Physiological recorders
• Pressure indicators 		• Making decisions
• Analyzing data
• Getting information
• Working with computers
• Creative thinking

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