Biomedical Equipment Technician
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Science, Engineering & Lab career
Biomedical Engineer
Also called: Bioengineer · Medical Device Engineer · Clinical Engineer · Tissue Engineer
What biomedical engineers do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a biomedical engineer do?
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems and software used in healthcare. The median pay is $109,370 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about 4-year engineering degree, and employment is projected to grow +7.6% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$109,370$52.58/hour · May 2025
- Job growth+7.6%2025–35, much faster than average
- Openings per year1,200Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationBachelor's degreeBLS classification
- Time to train4-year engineering degreeTypical program length
- U.S. jobs23,800Employment, 2025
What biomedical engineers do
Biomedical engineers build healthcare technology. They design devices like pacemakers, prosthetics and imaging systems, test them, work through FDA regulations and support hospitals and manufacturers.
Biomedical engineers need a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related field. BLS projects faster than average growth.
Typical duties
- Design medical devices
- Test prototypes
- Analyze data
- Work with clinicians
- Document for FDA
- Support manufacturing
- Investigate failures
Work environment and schedule
Biomedical engineers work in labs, offices, hospitals and manufacturing.
Schedule: Full-time business hours.
A day in the life
- Review test data.
- Meet surgeons about a device.
- Update CAD.
- Run bench tests.
See a full day in the life of a biomedical engineer →
Biomedical Engineer salary
Half of biomedical engineers earned more than $109,370 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $71,850 for the lowest 10% to $168,180 for the top 10%.
Full biomedical engineer pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a biomedical engineer
- Earn a biomedical engineering degree
- Do research or co-ops
- Join a device company or hospital
- Learn FDA processes
- Advance
A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field is typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a biomedical engineer →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Device design
- Biomechanics
- Biomaterials
- Testing
- FDA regulations
People skills
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork
All biomedical engineer skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Faster-than-average growth
- Help patients
- High pay
- Mix of biology and engineering
Cons
- Heavy regulation
- Long development cycles
- Documentation load
- Competitive entry
Certifications and licenses
- RAC: Regulatory Affairs Certification.
- CCE: Certified Clinical Engineer.
- PE license: Optional.
- Master’s or Ph.D.: For research roles.
Career path
- Engineer I: Entry.
- Biomedical Engineer: Own designs.
- Senior Engineer: Lead.
- R&D Manager: Lead teams.
Learn the job before day one
Our Biomedical Engineer training (12 hours, $109.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as plan design verification testing and gather needs from clinicians, safety and how to land your first job.
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Compare: Biomedical Engineer vs. Biomed Technician · Biomedical Engineer vs. Mechanical Engineer · Biomedical Engineer vs. Medical Scientist · Biomedical Engineer vs. Electrical Engineer
Biomedical Engineer FAQ
Is the field growing?
Yes, BLS projects faster than average growth.
Do I need a graduate degree?
Not always; many start with a bachelor’s.
Where do they work?
Device companies, hospitals and research labs.
How much does a biomedical engineer make?
The median annual wage for biomedical engineers was $109,370 ($52.58 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $71,850 and the highest 10% earned more than $168,180.
How long does it take to become a biomedical engineer?
Most people need about 4-year engineering degree of training. A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering or a related engineering field is typical.
Do you need a degree to be a biomedical engineer?
Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.
More biomedical engineer questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 17-2031 (Bioengineers and biomedical engineers).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Bioengineers and biomedical engineers (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.