Engineering and architecture
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.
Median pay
$109,370
Growth to 2035
+8%
faster than average
Openings a year
1,200
Time to qualify*
Minimal
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- Bachelor's degree
- On-the-job training
- None
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to bioengineers and biomedical engineers
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Hazardous conditions
Exposure to disease
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers: 43% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Biomedical Engineer · Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech) · Engineer · Process Engineer · Research Engineer
Outlook and AI
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers held 23,800 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 25,700 by 2035 (+8%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Industrial engineering technologists and technicians
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Engineers, all other
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Biological scientists, all other
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Biochemists and biophysicists
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Mathematical science occupations, all other
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Data scientist
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Chemist
- Bioengineers and biomedical engineers vs. Chemical engineer