The doctor is in–check out the top 25 best states for biomedical engineering jobs. Am I in a doctor’s office or a spaceship? I was waiting in the exam room when my eyes wandered over to the equipment. Suddenly, there are a lot more computers everywhere. Everything looks vaguely like it could be used in an alien autopsy, but I have to appreciate the cleanliness. The sparkle and gleam of the fix-it machines. Who do I have to thank for this technology and other impactful contributions I cannot even see? Well, biomedical engineers.
Biomedical engineering is a fast-rising industry–per the U.S. Labor Department BME is expected to grow by 72% in the next few years! It is a job that focuses on artificial organs and installation of biomedical equipment. According to Truity, biomedical engineers also “work with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists to research the engineering aspects of biological systems of humans and animals.’ They are trained to install and adjust biomedical equipment, design artificial organs and machines that replace body parts, and also train clinicians in using biomedical equipment. They work with doctors, researchers, and therapists in developing equipment and devices that aim to solve various clinical problems. Basically, they are smart people you want on your side.
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Biomedical engineers work in various job niches and industries, including manufacturing medical supplies, scientific research services, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and medical and surgical hospitals. To effectively handle biomedical engineering jobs, one must have both problem solving and analytical skills–and you know, be great at science and math. Most go to schools strong in engineering and major in some aspect of BME during undergrad. There are also further degree options as well as professional certifications. Many engineers continue to pursue their studies post-undergrad attaining a masters or doctorate. As this is an emerging field the tracks to a career aren’t as streamlined as say, becoming a medical doctor.
BMEs work in offices, manufacturing plants, hospitals, laboratories, and workshops. According to My Future, biomedical engineers can expect a job growth rate of 27% from 2017 to 2022. The said rate is higher than the average growth rates of the usual jobs, but it also has to be noted that it is a small demand job. While it might not be a high demand job with hundreds of thousands of openings, it is likely both fulfilling and rewarding to be doing such impactful work in healthcare and related industry. They are absorbed by various industries, mainly the medical field, where they can help in developing breakthroughs–especially in artificial organs.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biomedical engineers had a median income of $86,220 a year, or $41.45 per hour. The median income represents the earnings of half the total population of biomedical engineers. The lowest income earned by a biomedical engineer was at $53,680. The highest income, on the other hand, was at $139,350. The wages usually depend upon the size of the company, the industry it belongs to, the job description, the years of experience, and the state’s wage laws.
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In looking for the 25 best states for biomedical engineering jobs, the salary rate is always part of the criteria. However, it does not automatically make the highest paying state the top of the list. We also ranked these states according to the cost of living and the availability of jobs in the states in order to contextualize the data. Data used were sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center. Their rankings in cost of living, jobs availability, and median annual income were averaged, and below are the results we have gathered. Now it’s time to laser in on the 25 best states for biomedical engineering jobs.
