Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineering, also known as bioengineering, is an exciting and lucrative career for anybody who wants to create healthcare products and make a huge impact in the world of medicine. It’s an attractive career choice for anybody with a strong background in math and sciences.
On a typical day, bioengineers combine medical sciences and engineering principles to create devices, equipment, technology, software and biomaterials for the healthcare industry. They are also avid researchers, scientists and consultants.
While bioengineers usually work behind the scenes, they have recently come into the limelight thanks to the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. They are the guys who design and make ventilators for Covid-19 victims and protective gear for frontline workers.
They are also at the center of creating innovative products to counter and end the Covid-19 pandemic once and for all. For example, big-name brands such as Tesla, Mercedes, Ford and others are joining hands to mass produce ventilators, since there is an acute shortage of these life-saving machines.
Other than that, biomedical engineers make prosthetics, nano implants, hearing aids, surgical robots, bionic limbs, artificial body organs and so on. Bioengineers work full-time in a variety of settings such as universities, hospitals, research facilities, and medical equipment manufacturing, among others.
What About Earnings & the Job Outlook?
If you’re wondering, biomedical engineers earn a decent salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for biomedical engineers was $91,410 in May 2019. That is more than 2X the median annual wage for all salaried workers in the U.S.
You’ll also be happy to learn that the future of biomedical engineering is bright. According to the BLS, employment of biomedical engineers is projected to grow 5% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations.
However, breaking into the world of biomedical engineering can be confusing, especially when there are numerous careers path from which to choose. And with so little info online, it becomes harder deciding the BioMed job that promises career advancement, a good salary, and the perfect work-life balance.
Not to worry, however, because in today’s post, you discover five of the best biomedical engineering careers in 2021 and beyond. You will also learn how to become a biomedical engineer if you’re a student or transitioning from a different career.
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer
Becoming a biomedical engineer is a straightforward process. For starters, you need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering. Alternatively, you can earn a bachelor’s degree in a different engineering field and then complete a master’s degree in biomedical engineering.
But with the Coronavirus pandemic closing down learning institutions, it’s difficult to attend on-campus classes. Luckily for you, many colleges such as the University of California, Riverside, offer a masters in biomedical engineering 100% online.
Don’t stop at that. You can go the extra mile and pursue Ph.D. programs and postdoctoral appointments, both of which will serve your career well. On top of that, internships, co-ops, and research experiments help you understand the work and land good jobs.
That said, which are the best five biomedical engineering careers in 2021?
Top 5 Bioengineering Careers in 2021
There are many job opportunities available when you study biomedical engineering in 2021. The career is expected to grow exponentially, more so when the entire world is fighting the Coronavirus pandemic.
Advances in medical technology has also opened new frontiers in healthcare, which is creating even more biomedical engineering jobs for the prepared candidate.
Below, are five of the best biomedical engineering jobs you can pursue in 2021 and beyond. It’s important to point out that our list is not exhaustive because there are many roles to fill in bioengineering. We’re just pointing you in the right direction.
Without further ado, let’s start.
Manufacturing Engineer ($76,653/year)
Biomedical manufacturing engineers design and make medical products such as hospital equipment, imaging tools, prosthetic limbs, and other medical devices. They ensure the manufacturing process is efficient so as to create low-cost and high-quality products.
According to Payscale.com, manufacturing engineers earn a median annual salary of $76,653. From the same report, a manufacturing engineer with less than one year experience earns $65,990 per year on average. Manufacturing engineers with over 20 years of experience make $109,783/year.
Biomaterials Developer ($85,118/year)
Just like the job title suggests, biomaterials developers create artificial materials or natural living tissue to use on the human body. They usually work in areas such as drug delivery, nano implants, implant development and tissue engineering. Biomaterials are used to repair damage tissues or detect disease.
According to ZipRecruiter, the national median pay for biomaterials developers is $85,118 per year. Note, however, that salaries range between $31,500/year for entry-level employees and $158,000/year for top earners. This means there is a lot of room for career advancement.
Medical Technology Developer ($88,845 / year)
Medical technology developers are the experts that design and create medical hardware and software that runs medical devices. They specialize in bioelectronics and bioinstrumentation, but of which are integral to equipment such electrocardiographs and pacemakers.
According to ZipRecruiter, medical technology developers make $88,845 per year on average. You can as high as $167,500 or as low as $24,500 depending on your skills, work experience and location, which suggests there is huge potential for career growth.
Biomedical Scientist/Researcher ($65,779/year)
Biomedical scientists use clinical trials and lab experiments to conduct research and find solutions to medical problems. The results of their experiments help in the development of safe biomedical products and technology. They also simulate body systems and medical problems for the same purpose.
According to Glassdoor, the average base pay for biomedical scientists is $65,779 per annum. That, however depends on other factors such as location, employer, certifications and experience. For instance, a company named Merck posted a job opening that netted $160,000 to $180,000 per year.
Consulting Bioengineer ($104,358/year)
An independent biomedical consultant does what any other consultant does. They offer medical and research institutions advice and guidance. Consultants help you to organize a workforce and make vital decisions such as the equipment to use and how medical processes are executed.
According to the Economic Research Institute, biomedical consultants in the United States make $104,358 per year on average. The salary has been updated to include Covid-19 impact on compensation. Also, the biomedical consultant salary is expected to grow 10% from 2021 to 2026.
Final Words
Biomedical engineering is such a vast field we would need an entire eBook to cover everything. There are many roles to fill and job opportunities are increasing by the day. If you’re interested in a career in biomedical engineering, 2021 is the best year to start your journey.
