Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

SOC: 17-2031 O*NET: 17-2031.00
Median Salary
$106,950
per year
Job Growth
📈 5.2%
Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
1.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4

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.

What does a Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers do?

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.

How much can you earn?

Entry Level
$71,860
10th percentile
Early Career
$86,630
25th percentile
Median
$106,950
50th percentile
Experienced
$133,570
75th percentile
Top Earners
$165,060
90th percentile

National Salary Distribution

10th
$71,860
25th
$86,630
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$106,950
Mean: $115,020
75th
$133,570
90th
$165,060
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)

Key Insights

  • Salary range spans $93,200 from entry level to top earners
  • Middle 50% earn between $86,630 and $133,570
  • Salary spread is 43.9% around the median, showing high variation
  • Total national employment: 21,860 professionals

What's the job outlook?

Job Market Intelligence

Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk

Current Employment

National Employment:22,200

Top Industries

Manufacturing31.7%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services28%

10-Year Outlook

Growth Rate:+5.2%
Annual Openings:1,300

Employment Projections

2024 (Current)22,200
Current
2034 (Projected)23,300
+5.2%
+1,100
Employment Change
+5.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection

Growth Category: As fast as average

Geographic Salary & Employment Data

Explore where Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers professionals work across the United States

Showing 15 of 38 locations
Massachusetts
3,920 jobs$107,7207.58x
California
2,900 jobs$125,7001.13x
Texas
1,750 jobs$97,1600.89x
Ohio
1,470 jobs$117,9601.88x
Washington
970 jobs$125,0101.93x
Indiana
970 jobs$105,7502.15x
New York
920 jobs$117,1800.68x
Minnesota
720 jobs$124,7601.74x
Pennsylvania
690 jobs$97,9000.81x
Florida
670 jobs$99,9800.48x
North Carolina
640 jobs$107,0700.93x
Maryland
540 jobs$105,6501.38x
Georgia
520 jobs$101,7100.75x
Virginia
500 jobs$103,1700.87x
New Jersey
490 jobs$115,0800.82x

Understanding the Data

Location Quotient (LQ):

  • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
  • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
  • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average

Data Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024

Key Growth Factors

  • Average growth expected

What skills do you need?

Top 10 Most Important Skills

#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Writing
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Judgment and Decision Making
74%
#6
Science
66%
#7
Critical Thinking
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Mathematics
46%
#10
Operations Analysis
40%

Skills Overview

Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Writing
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Judgment and Decision Making
intermediate3.7
74%
Science
intermediate3.3
66%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%

Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.

Filter:
Sort by:

Speaking

advanced
Importance100%
skills
5.0/5.0

Active Listening

advanced
Importance94%
skills
4.7/5.0

Writing

intermediate
Importance86%
skills
4.3/5.0

Reading Comprehension

basic
Importance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0

Judgment and Decision Making

intermediate
Importance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0

Science

intermediate
Importance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0

Critical Thinking

intermediate
Importance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0

Complex Problem Solving

advanced
Importance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0

Mathematics

basic
Importance46%
skills
2.3/5.0

Operations Analysis

basic
Importance40%
skills
2.0/5.0

Highly Transferable Skills

These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:

Aerospace Engineers100%
5 shared skills
Atmospheric and Space Scientists82%
5 shared skills
Mechanical Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Statisticians82%
5 shared skills
Wind Energy Engineers82%
5 shared skills
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health82%
5 shared skills

Skills by Career Stage

Entry Level

Must Have:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
Learn on the Job:
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Complex Problem Solving

Mid Career

Expected:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension

Senior Level

Mastery Required:
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making

Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
  • Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
  • Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
  • Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time

What technology will you use?

Technology & Digital Skills

Essential technology proficiencies for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Technology Intensity
Very High

Digital Literacy Requirements

This career requires expert digital literacy

1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert

Key Digital Competencies:

Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥

Hot Technologies in Demand

These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field

SAS

🔥 Hot Tech

The MathWorks MATLAB

🔥 Hot Tech

Splunk Enterprise

🔥 Hot Tech

Autodesk AutoCAD

🔥 Hot Tech

Dassault Systemes SolidWorks

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Access

🔥 Hot Tech

Oracle Database

🔥 Hot Tech

Structured query language SQL

🔥 Hot Tech

C

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Azure software

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Visual Basic

🔥 Hot Tech

Microsoft Outlook

🔥 Hot Tech

Technology Stack

Technology Stack Overview

Key technologies used in this career

SAS
The MathWorks MATLAB
Splunk Enterprise
Autodesk AutoCAD
Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
Microsoft Access
Oracle Database
Structured query language SQL
C
Microsoft Azure software
Microsoft Visual Basic
Microsoft Outlook

📚 Technology Learning Resources

Recommended Certifications

  • Vendor-specific software certifications
  • Industry-recognized technology credentials
  • Professional development courses

Online Learning Platforms

  • LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
  • Coursera - University-level programs
  • Udemy - Practical skills training

💡 Technology Skill Development Tips

  • Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
  • Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
  • Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
  • Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers

What's the work environment like?

🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
LOW
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
OCCASIONAL

💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?

Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:

  • Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
  • Can you meet low physical demands?
  • Do you enjoy some team team environments?
  • Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?

What are the key tasks?

Tasks & Responsibilities

21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Analysis & Evaluation (2)Planning & Development (13)General Responsibilities (3)Training & Development (1)Communication & Coordination (2)
1

Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
100%
Analysis & Evaluation100% perform
2

Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
98%
Planning & Development97% perform
3

Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
96%
Planning & Development94% perform
4

Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
94%
Planning & Development91% perform
5

Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
92%
General Responsibilities88% perform
6

Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
90%
Planning & Development85% perform
7

Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
88%
Analysis & Evaluation82% perform
8

Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.

🔴
Daily
Importance:
86%
Training & Development79% perform
9

Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
84%
General Responsibilities76% perform
10

Advise manufacturing staff regarding problems with fermentation, filtration, or other bioproduction processes.

🟡
Weekly
Importance:
82%
General Responsibilities73% perform

💡 Key Takeaways

  • Daily tasks focus primarily on analysis & evaluation activities
  • 33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
  • Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities

What career paths are available?

Career Pathways

0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase

Advancement Opportunities

Typical career progression paths from Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

💡 Career Planning Tips

  • Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
  • Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
  • Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
  • Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves

Is this career right for you?

Personality & Values Fit

Is This Career Right for You?

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers professionals typically have a IRC Holland code and highly value independence

IInvestigative
RRealistic
CConventional

Important Personality Traits

Work styles that contribute to success as a Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Analytical Thinking

Critical

Analytical Thinking

Importance Level4.57

Integrity

Critical

Integrity

Importance Level4.52

Attention to Detail

Very Important

Attention to Detail

Importance Level4.48

Persistence

Very Important

Persistence

Importance Level4.35

Cooperation

Very Important

Cooperation

Importance Level4.23

Achievement/Effort

Very Important

Achievement/Effort

Importance Level4.22

Complete Work Styles Profile

Analytical Thinking
4.6
Integrity
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Persistence
4.3
Cooperation
4.2
Achievement/Effort
4.2
Dependability
4.1
Initiative
4.0
Innovation
4.0
Self-Control
3.8

💡 Tips for Career Fit Success

  • While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
  • Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
  • Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
  • Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career

What education is required?

Education Level

Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years

Preparation Level

Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed

Experience Needed

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

📚 Education Requirement

Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Training:

Significant preparation with related work experience

💼 Experience Requirement

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed

Common pathways to gain experience:

  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • Several years of work experience
  • Professional certifications often required
4

Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Explore educational programs that can help you become a Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers.

Browse Training Programs →