Biomedical Engineer Training and Jobs
Schools and Degrees
Biomed engineers have to complete engineering programs. To get accepted by colleges and universities for these courses, candidates have to study subjects like chemistry, biology, mathematics, and physics at the high school level. They have to choose their specialty in such a manner that they get to learn about medical imaging, orthopedic engineering, and biomaterials.
Training and Education
Education or job training for workers typically involves a bachelor's degree. At least 76% of employees had a degree of four or more years. About 18% of biomedical engineers had some college below a bachelor's degree.
Job Overview
Biomed engineers are responsible for applying the laws and principles of biology and engineering to the development of products and services. They create artificial organs and prostheses. They also develop and evaluate health systems and medical information systems.
Job Requirements
Employers generally choose candidates who possess four-year bachelor degrees for these jobs. A license has to be obtained by passing a two-part exam administered by the state in which the individual intends to work. These professionals have to possess the ability to practically apply the knowledge of engineering and biological science in order to design and produce products and services. They should be able to understand the needs of customers, meet the standards of quality, and evaluate customer satisfaction. Biomed engineers are expected to have adequate knowledge of the principles and applications of physical laws and principles so that they can understand atmospheric, mechanical and fluid dynamics. They should also understand electrical and mechanical processes. Knowledge of preparation of technical plans, drawings, blueprints, and models is also required.
These professionals have to possess basic written and verbal communication skills. They should be able to identify problems and come up with solutions. They should be able to evaluate and choose from a range of solutions on the basis of costs versus benefits analyses.
Nature of Work
The tasks of biomed engineers include researching new materials that may be used to create products like artificial organs. They use the principles of biobehavioral sciences and engineering to develop clinical and diagnostic equipment, procedures, and instrumentation.
Area Job Conditions
The cities with the most workers per capita are College Station (Texas), Lowell (Massachusetts), and San Francisco (California), while the worst cities are Tampa (Florida), Phoenix (Arizona), and Cincinnati (Ohio).
The highest salaries for employees are in and around San Francisco (California), Oakland (California), and San Jose (California). The lowest-paying areas are Memphis (Tennessee), Phoenix (Arizona), and College Station (Texas).
Part-Time and Self Employment
An estimated 3% of biomedical engineers work part-time.
Career Videos
Biomedical Engineers by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)
In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.
Arizona
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoenix | $93,000 | 280 | +78% |
California
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $77,000 | 270 | -25% |
| Oakland | $103,000 | 210 | +136% |
| San Diego | $86,000 | 770 | +559% |
| San Francisco | $100,000 | 560 | +533% |
| San Jose | $116,000 | 530 | +563% |
| Santa Ana | $92,000 | 610 | +370% |
| Santa Rosa | 130 | +775% |
Colorado
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $92,000 | 30 | +130% |
| Denver | $66,000 | 30 | -73% |
Connecticut
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford | $87,000 | 40 | -22% |
District of Columbia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $79,000 | 320 | +47% |
Florida
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Lauderdale | $76,000 | 30 | -52% |
| Jacksonville | $72,000 | 50 | -6% |
| Miami | $65,000 | 100 | +14% |
| Orlando | $93,000 | 50 | -45% |
| Tampa | $80,000 | 70 | -31% |
| West Palm Beach | $91,000 | 40 | -13% |
Georgia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta | $72,000 | 110 | -47% |
Maryland
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $82,000 | 200 | +71% |
| Bethesda | $91,000 | 260 | +407% |
Massachusetts
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston | $96,000 | 1,090 | +601% |
| Framingham | $108,000 | 90 | +546% |
| Worcester | $88,000 | 60 | +174% |
Minnesota
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis | $94,000 | 720 | +352% |
Nebraska
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $74,000 | 50 | +266% |
New Jersey
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edison | $98,000 | 160 | +75% |
| Newark | $86,000 | 120 | +35% |
| Trenton | $79,000 | 30 | +52% |
New York
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo | $68,000 | 50 | +2% |
| New York | $80,000 | 330 | -29% |
| Rochester | $98,000 | 110 | +145% |
North Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | $85,000 | 60 | +149% |
Ohio
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $79,000 | 30 | -67% |
| Cleveland | $72,000 | 110 | +20% |
| Dayton | $96,000 | 60 | +78% |
Oregon
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | $66,000 | 60 | -34% |
Pennsylvania
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $85,000 | 640 | +275% |
| Pittsburgh | $76,000 | 170 | +66% |
Rhode Island
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $82,000 | 40 | -19% |
South Carolina
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville | $85,000 | 50 | +91% |
Texas
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $79,000 | 110 | +57% |
| Dallas | $65,000 | 100 | -47% |
| Houston | $95,000 | 230 | -2% |
| San Antonio | $75,000 | 30 | -61% |
Utah
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salt Lake City | $73,000 | 380 | +603% |
Virginia
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach | $81,000 | 30 | -56% |
Washington
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $79,000 | 240 | +91% |
Wisconsin
| City and Area | Median Salary | Employees | Job Density |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee | $75,000 | 100 | +35% |