Careers in Biomedical Engineering

Do you have a hard time deciding if biology or engineering is your favorite discipline? You can combine your interests by pursuing a biomedical engineering degree. The biomedical engineering field has a wide variety of career options for you to pursue.

Biomedical engineers become masters of both disciplines early in their careers. They must use biology, medicine, communication, engineering and math to solve very complex problems in the industry. The process of working with living organisms creates a unique work environment filled with an abundance of surprises.

Biomedical engineers complete tasks like designing wiring for an IV pump or creating a new cochlear implant device. Biomedical engineers working to save lives or making life complete again have invented artificial hearts, limbs and lungs. All new technology created for the medical community comes directly from the biomedical engineer field. The signals given by the body get broken down into mathematical equations that help biomedical engineers treat, or even cure, diseases and other ailments.

You will have to obtain your four-year degree to enter this industry. A master’s or doctorate degree opens doors for research opportunities and career advancement. Biomedical engineers can work for the military, hospitals, educational institutions and research facilities.

Biomedical engineering disciplines include biomechanics, virtual reality, telemedicine and neural engineering. Long hours may be typical for someone maintaining hospital equipment or working on a research project. Job titles may include researcher, bioengineer, biomedical equipment tech and imaging engineer.

The work environment for biomedical engineers is quiet and clean the majority of the time. Hospital settings may be more hectic than other potential work environments. Biomedical engineers earn excellent salaries at approximately $80,000 a year. Those who choose to work in research can expect to earn a bit more, generally around $92,000 per year.