### Bureau of Labor Statistics U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Summary
                        
            
                                                        
                                                                
                        
            
            
            
                            
                                                
                                                
                                                
                                                
            						
							
				                                                
                                            




            			bioengineers and medical engineers imageBioengineers and biomedical engineers design and create equipment and devices used in healthcare.							
						Quick Facts:     Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers2023     Median Pay
            						$100,730     per year
										$48.43     per hourTypical Entry-Level Education
                                    Bachelor's degreeWork Experience in a Related Occupation
                                    NoneOn-the-job Training
                                    NoneNumber of Jobs, 2022
                                    19,700Job Outlook, 2022-32
                                    5% (Faster than average)Employment Change, 2022-32
                                    1,000What Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Do
                                                
                        
                        
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.
            
                        Work Environment
                        
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers work in manufacturing, in research facilities, and for a variety of other employers. Most work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
            
                                                How to Become a Bioengineer or Biomedical Engineer
                                                
                        
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering or biomedical engineering or in a related engineering field. Some positions require a graduate degree.
            
                        Pay
                        												                            																				    														The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $100,730 in May 2023.									                                					
						
            
                        Job Outlook
                        						
												Employment							of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow							 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
						About 1,200 openings for bioengineers and biomedical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
            			
            			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
						State & Area Data
                       Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for bioengineers and biomedical engineers.
            
            
						
                        Similar Occupations
                        
                                                    Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of bioengineers and biomedical engineers with similar occupations.
            
            
                        More Information, Including Links to O*NET
                        
                                               
                        Learn more about bioengineers and biomedical engineers by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
 What Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Do 
            

			Bioengineers and biomedical engineersBioengineers and biomedical engineers install, maintain, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment.			
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.
Duties
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically do the following:
Design equipment and devices, such as artificial internal organs, replacements for body parts, and machines for diagnosing medical problems
Install, maintain, or provide technical support for biomedical equipment
Collaborate with manufacturing staff on the safety and effectiveness of biomedical equipment
Train clinicians and others on the proper use of biomedical equipment
Work with scientists to research how engineering principles apply to biological systems
Develop statistical models or simulations using statistical or modeling software
Prepare procedures and write technical reports and research papers
Present research findings to a variety of audiences, including scientists, clinicians, managers, other engineers, and the public
Design or conduct followup experiments as neededBioengineers and biomedical engineers frequently work in research and development or quality assurance.
The work of bioengineers spans many fields. For example, although their expertise is in engineering and biology, they often design computer software to run complicated instruments, such as three-dimensional x-ray machines. Others use their knowledge of chemistry and biology to develop new drug therapies. Still others draw on math and statistics to understand signals transmitted by the brain or heart. Some are involved in sales.
Biomedical engineers focus on advances in technology and medicine to develop new devices and equipment for improving human health. For example, they might design software to run medical equipment or computer simulations to test new drug therapies. In addition, they design and build artificial body parts, such as hip and knee joints, or develop materials to make replacement parts. They also design rehabilitative exercise equipment.
The following are examples of types of bioengineers and biomedical engineers:
***Biochemical engineers*** focus on cell structures and microscopic systems to create products for bioremediation, biological waste treatment, and other uses.
***Bioinstrumentation*** ***engineers***use electronics, computer science, and measurement principles to develop tools for diagnosing and treating medical problems.
***Biomaterials engineers*** study naturally occurring or laboratory-designed substances for use in medical devices or implants.
***Biomechanics*** ***engineers***study thermodynamics and other systems to solve biological or medical problems.
***Clinical engineers*** apply medical technology to improve healthcare.
***Genetic engineers*** alter the genetic makeup of organism using recombinant deoxyribonucleic acid (rDNA) technology, such as in developing vitamin-fortified food crops to prevent disease in humans.
***Rehabilitation engineers*** develop devices that aid people who are recovering from or adapting to physical or cognitive impairments.
***Systems physiologists***use engineering tools to understand how biological systems function and respond to changes in their environment.
Other bioengineering occupations are described in separate profiles; see, for example, chemical engineers and agricultural engineers. Some people with training in biomedical engineering become postsecondary teachers.
 Work Environment
			Bioengineers and medical engineersBioengineers and biomedical engineers work in laboratory and clinical settings.			

	    
				
	
	
	
	
	
	
	    					 Bioengineers and biomedical engineers held about 19,700 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bioengineers and biomedical engineers were as follows:
        Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
                23%Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
                13Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
                11Engineering services
                9Healthcare and social assistance
                8Bioengineers and biomedical engineers work on teams with scientists, healthcare workers, or other engineers. Where and how they work depends on the project. For example, a biomedical engineer who has developed a new device might spend hours in a hospital to ensure that the device works as planned. If the device needs adjusting, the engineer might need to suggest alterations in the manufacturing process.
Work Schedules
Most bioengineers and biomedical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 How to Become a Bioengineer or Biomedical Engineer

			Bioengineers and biomedical engineersBioengineers and biomedical engineers frequently work in research and development or in quality assurance.			
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or a related engineering field. Some positions require a graduate degree.
Education
In high school, students interested in becoming bioengineers or biomedical engineers should take classes in sciences such as chemistry, physics, and biology. They should also study math, including algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. If available, classes in drafting, mechanical drawing, and computer programming are also useful.
At the bachelor’s degree level, prospective bioengineers should study bioengineering, biomedical, or other engineering fields. Students who pursue other engineering degrees, such as mechanical or electrical, may benefit from taking biological science courses.
Bachelor’s degree programs in bioengineering and biomedical engineering focus on engineering and biological sciences. These programs typically include laboratory- and classroom-based courses in biological sciences and subjects such as fluid and solid mechanics, circuit design, and biomaterials.
These programs also include substantial training in engineering design. As part of their study, students may have an opportunity to participate in co-ops or internships with hospitals and medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturing companies. Bioengineering and biomedical engineering programs are accredited by ABET.
Important Qualities
***Analytical skills.*** Bioengineers and biomedical engineers must assess the needs of patients and customers prior to designing products.
***Communication skills.*** Because bioengineers and biomedical engineers sometimes work with patients and customers and frequently work on teams, they must be able to express themselves clearly in discussions. They also write reports and research papers.
***Creativity.*** Bioengineers and biomedical engineers must be creative to come up with innovations in healthcare equipment and devices.
***Math skills.*** Bioengineers and biomedical engineers use calculus and other advanced math and statistics for analysis, design, and troubleshooting in their work.
***Problem-solving skills.*** Bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically deal with intricate biological systems. They must be able to work independently and with others to incorporate ideas into the complex problem-solving process.
Advancement
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers may increase their responsibilities as they gain experience or advanced degrees. To lead a research team, a bioengineer or biomedical engineer typically needs a graduate degree. Those who are interested in basic research may become medical scientists.
Some bioengineers attend medical or dental school to specialize in techniques such as using electric impulses in new ways to get muscles moving again. Others earn law degrees and work as patent attorneys. Still others pursue a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) and move into managerial positions. For more information, see the profiles on lawyers and architectural and engineering managers.
 Pay

			



	
 
                                                     
            
    
                Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersMedian annual wages, May 2023Engineers$102,660  Bioengineers and biomedical engineers$100,730  Total, all occupations$48,060Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
 

	
	



		
	
	
	
The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $100,730 in May 2023. 


The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $68,100, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $154,350.





		
	    					 In May 2023, the median annual wages for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:	
        Professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers
                $104,600Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences
                102,470Engineering services
                100,930Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing
                99,380Healthcare and social assistance
                92,140Most bioengineers and biomedical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
 Job Outlook

   
        
    
          
        
    
                Bioengineers and Biomedical EngineersPercent change in employment, projected 2022-32Engineers7%  Bioengineers and biomedical engineers5%  Total, all occupations3%Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program
            
            
			 
	
	
	

			Employment				of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow				 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations.
			
			About 1,200 openings for bioengineers and biomedical engineers are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
			
			 Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
			Employment
	
			
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers are expected to see employment growth as demand for biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, continues to increase. In addition, with continued public awareness of medical advances, increasing numbers of people will seek biomedical solutions to their health problems.
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers continue to collaborate with scientists, other medical researchers, and manufacturers to address a range of injuries and physical disabilities. Their work in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and other fields is expanding the possibilities for biomedical engineering products and services.
			

                        Employment projections data for     bioengineers and biomedical engineers, 2022-32
                Occupational Title
                        SOC Code
                        Employment, 2022
                        Projected Employment, 2032
                        Change, 2022-32
                        Employment by IndustryPercent
                        NumericSOURCE: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program**Bioengineers and biomedical engineers**
			17-2031
			19,700
			20,700
			5
			1,000
			Get data
 State & Area Data **Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)** The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OES data maps for employment and wages by state and area. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers **Projections Central** Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.com. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved. **CareerOneStop** CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.
 Similar Occupations This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of bioengineers and biomedical engineers. Occupation
                Job Duties
                ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION
                2023     MEDIAN PAY**Agricultural Engineers**
            Agricultural engineers solve problems concerning power supplies, machine efficiency, the use of structures and facilities, pollution and environmental issues, and the storage and processing of agricultural products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $88,750**Architectural and Engineering Managers**
            Architectural and engineering managers plan, direct, and coordinate activities in the fields of architecture and engineering.
            Bachelor's degree
            $165,370**Biochemists and Biophysicists**
            Biochemists and biophysicists study the chemical and physical principles of living things and of biological processes.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $107,460**Chemical Engineers**
            Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry, physics, and engineering to design equipment and processes for manufacturing products such as gasoline, detergents, and paper.
            Bachelor's degree
            $112,100**Electrical and Electronics Engineers**
            Electrical engineers design, develop, test, and supervise the manufacture of electrical equipment.
            Bachelor's degree
            $109,010**Materials Engineers**
            Materials engineers develop, process, and test materials used to create a wide range of products.
            Bachelor's degree
            $104,100**Mechanical Engineers**
            Mechanical engineers design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal sensors and devices.
            Bachelor's degree
            $99,510**Medical Scientists**
            Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            $100,890**Physicians and Surgeons**
            Physicians and surgeons diagnose and treat injuries or illnesses and address health maintenance.
            Doctoral or professional degree
            This wage is equal to or greater than $239,200 per year.**Sales Engineers**
            Sales engineers sell complex scientific and technological products or services to businesses.
            Bachelor's degree
            $116,950
 Contacts for More Information
								
For information about education and career resources for bioengineering, biomedical engineering, and general engineering, visit
American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering
American Society for Engineering Education
Biomedical Engineering Society
IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
Technology Student Association
For information about accredited engineering programs, visit
ABET
CareerOneStop
For a career video on biomedical engineers, visit
Biomedical Engineers

                                                
                                                        
                                                                                                    O*NET
                                        Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
 Suggested citation: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S.  Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, 
        	 at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/biomedical-engineers.htm (visited *May 21, 2024*).
 **Last Modified Date:**
                        Wednesday, April 17, 2024


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