...the Web's Best Job-Search Resources

Biomed Engineers

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.

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.

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.

Job Numbers and Growth

There were about 14,000 biomedical engineers across the US in 2008. Unemployment for workers was considered low in the recent past, relative to other occupations. The percentage of employees unemployed in 2008 was 3%.

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).

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. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

An estimated 3% of biomedical engineers work part-time.

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%