Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
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.
Also called: Biomedical Engineer · Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech) · Engineer · Process Engineer · Research Engineer
Median pay (national)
$106,950
$71,860–$165,060 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
21,860
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+5.2%
~1,300 openings/yr
Typical entry
Bachelor's degree
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for bioengineers and biomedical engineers shows a broad range: the top 10% earn $165,060 versus $71,860 at the bottom 10% — 2.3x. The median of $106,950 leaves roughly 54% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +5.2% from 2024 to 2034 — faster than the 3% all-occupation average. Even so, BLS projects about 1,300 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 37 states with released data, Wisconsin pays the most for this role (median $129,440, +21% vs the national median), while Nebraska sits lowest at $72,590 — a 78% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list. On the tools side, O*NET flags Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft PowerPoint, Python as in-demand technologies for this role.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Science
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Learning Strategies
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- 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.
Tools & technology
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Python
- R
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- C
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Extensible markup language XML
- Hypertext markup language HTML
- JavaScript
- Linux
- Microsoft Azure software
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
- Biology
- English Language
- Medicine and Dentistry