Biomedical Engineers fall into the Investigative Theme Code Category of The Strong Interest Inventory® Assessment. The Strong Interest Inventory® was first published in 1927 and has been refined many times for accuracy since then. Today, it is considered a trustworthy way of helping individuals gain valuable insights into their own interests and preferences and leverage these insights to identify careers that they will find satisfying and enjoyable. Investigative Careers in particular are focused around analyzing, researching, or investigating situations in the real world. People who have a proclivity for Investigative Careers tend to be strong problem solvers, with strengths and interests in mathematics and the sciences.

Biomedical Engineers apply their knowledge of the applied, physical, and medical sciences (e.g., physics, medicine, chemistry, engineering, biology, etc.) to design, develop, and evaluate biological and health systems and products, for instance, instruments, artificial limbs and organs, and other biomedical tools. Biomedical Engineers also conduct research along with other kinds of scientists (e.g., life sciences, chemists, etc.) on a range of different aspects of human and animal systems. They design such experiments from the ground up, including from instrumentation to identifying and selecting equipment, to developing appropriate procedures. They may research new materials to be used, for instance, in the manufacture of artificial organs. When conducting physical experiments is too difficult or cost prohibitive, especially for a pilot project, they may develop computer simulations for such projects, or adapt or design computer hardware and software for medical uses. In some cases, they may also use technology for diagnosis, or to treat or assist those who have disabilities. Finally, Biomedical Engineers may need to manage laboratories or teams, and complete such managerial tasks as tracking inventory, making budgets, and so on. In some cases, Biomedical Engineers also disseminate knowledge through writing or consulting, or through giving talks at professional conferences.

The tools and technology used by Biomedical Engineers includes engineering equipment (e.g., acoustic sensors, accelerometers, circuit testers, deflectors, oxygen meters), medical equipment (e.g., EEG equipment and accessories; EMG units or accessories, cardiovascular prosthetic device testers; medical computed tomography scanners; magnetic resonance imaging scanners; medical positron emission tomography units, medical single photon emission computed tomography units, etc.), specialized laboratory equipment (e.g., inductively coupled plasma spectrometers; vacuum pumps, etc.) as well as recording materials (e.g., cameras, video cameras). In terms of software, they may use scientific or analytical software (e.g., SAS, MATLAB, etc.) or computer aided design software, as well as development environment software, medical software, systems architecture software, and the now-ubiquitous Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suite.

Many Biomedical Engineers have earned a Bachelor’s Degree (45%), though many of them have also continued their education to earn a Master’s Degree (35%) or even a Doctoral Degree (20%). In their time of intense study, they develop a foundational knowledge of the natural and applied sciences, which include engineering, biology, chemistry, and physics. They also build an understanding of mathematics, computers and technology, and medicine. All of these skills together must be mastered, integrated, and applied for Biomedical Engineers to be successful in their careers. They also have highly-developed critical thinking skills, as well as strong time management and the ability to think quickly and critically about complex problems with many moving parts. Finally, they must be proficient in written and spoken English, as well as acute near-vision and far-vision, attention to detail, and perceptual speed.

The median Biomedical Engineer salary nationwide is $86,220 per year. However, the highest-paid third of Biomedical Engineers earn nearly $140,000, while the lowest-paid earn nearly $50,000. California, New Mexico, and Colorado lead the way in average Biomedical Engineer salary by state, will all three being nearly $100,000 per year. Employment rates are also projected to increase up to 23% nationally before 2024, with the fastest growth in Utah at a stunning 70% projected growth before 2024. Maine is a distant second at 55%, while Colorado and California are both over 40%. Only West Virginia, Alabama and Massachusetts have projected growth rates under 10%.

Below are some employment trends for Biomedical Engineers:

• Median Salary: $43.95 hourly, $91,410 annually
• Employment: 19,800 employees
• Projected growth (2018-2028): Average (4% to 6%)
• Projected job openings (2018-2028): 1,500

[Information retrieved from Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2018-2028 employment projections]

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References

1. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org