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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.
Other titles employers use
Biomedical Engineer · Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech) · Engineer · Process Engineer · Research Engineer · Bio-Mechanical Engineer · Biochemical Engineer · Biomaterials Engineer
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- 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.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to analytical, practical and organizing work.
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Organizing
- Creating order, checking details, and keeping work accurate
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
- Mathematics
- Science
Subjects to know
- Engineering and Technology
- Computers and Electronics
- Mathematics
- Design
- Physics
Useful strengths
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Written Expression
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 2.8 | Largely your own space |
| On your feet | 2.2 | Mostly seated |
| Talking face to face | 4.3 | A regular part of the day |
| Working with your hands | 3.0 | Some of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 44%
- A master's degree 26%
- A doctorate or professional degree 26%
- A two-year degree 4%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Object or component oriented development software
- Operating system software
- Development environment software
- Data base user interface and query software
- Analytical or scientific software
- Computer aided design CAD software
- Graphics or photo imaging software
- Enterprise application integration software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 3,000
- Job openings each year
- 190
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 7.1%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 3,000 | 190 | 7.1% |
| Colorado | 1,950 | 130 | 19.6% |
| Minnesota | 1,180 | 70 | 11.3% |
| Florida | 1,050 | 70 | 12.9% |
| Texas | 1,040 | 70 | 15.6% |
| Utah | 1,020 | 70 | 36.0% |
| Massachusetts | 1,000 | 60 | 5.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,000 | 60 | 5.3% |
| North Carolina | 880 | 60 | 15.8% |
| Washington | 860 | 80 | 22.9% |
| New York | 710 | 10 | 10.9% |
| New Jersey | 600 | 40 | 5.3% |
| Maryland | 550 | 30 | 10.0% |
| Wisconsin | 550 | 40 | 12.2% |
| Illinois | 420 | 20 | — |
| Indiana | 420 | 30 | 7.7% |
| Ohio | 410 | 20 | 5.1% |
| Virginia | 380 | 20 | 2.7% |
| Arizona | 310 | 20 | 29.2% |
| Michigan | 250 | 10 | — |
| Connecticut | 210 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Georgia | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| South Carolina | 190 | 10 | 11.8% |
| District of Columbia | 150 | 10 | 7.1% |
| Tennessee | 150 | 10 | 15.4% |
| Kansas | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Kentucky | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Iowa | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Oregon | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Puerto Rico | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Louisiana | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Vermont | 50 | 0 | — |
| Idaho | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Nevada | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| New Mexico | 40 | 0 | 33.3% |
| Rhode Island | 40 | 0 | — |
| Nebraska | 30 | 0 | — |
| Maine | 20 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 436
- Admit rate
- 16%
- Annual cost after aid
- $11,000
Program entryOpen major
Open college TXTexas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 397
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college NCNorth Carolina State University at Raleigh
- Degrees each year
- 291
- Admit rate
- 40%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college TXThe University of Texas at Austin
- Degrees each year
- 287
- Admit rate
- 29%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college INPurdue University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 263
- Admit rate
- 50%
- Annual cost after aid
- $9,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open college CAUniversity of California-Berkeley
- Degrees each year
- 262
- Admit rate
- 12%
- Annual cost after aid
- $10,000
Program entryDirect to college
Open college AZArizona State University Campus Immersion
- Degrees each year
- 260
- Admit rate
- 90%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Program entryFirst-year program admission
Open college PAPennsylvania State University-Main Campus
- Degrees each year
- 247
- Admit rate
- 54%
- Annual cost after aid
- $26,000
Program entryApply after enrollment
Open collegeCompare every college offering biomedical/medical engineering