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.
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.
25. Pennsylvania
Annual salary: $75,560
Cost of living index: 101.4
Available jobs: 850
With many available biomedical engineering jobs, there is no doubt Pennsylvania is one of the best states for biomedical engineers. Their cost of living is a downside, though, which is a bit higher than the average. However, with nearly 250 hospitals and the communities surrounding those–you should have some job options.
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24. Oklahoma
Annual Salary: $69,980
Cost of living index: 89.2
Available jobs: 140
The salary is lower than the national average, but the low cost of living is why it is best for people to live in Oklahoma. In the long run, you get to save more because you spend less. As long as you don’t mind rooting for the Sooners!
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23. Iowa
Annual Salary: $82,280
Cost of living index: 91
Available jobs: 60
Like Oklahoma, Iowa made it to this list because of its cost of living. They might not have so many jobs for biomedical engineers, but when you’re lucky to get one, the pay is well on the average. Who doesn’t want to be a bio-medical engineer and the first to vote in national elections?
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22. Florida
Annual Salary: $76,900
Cost of living index: 98.3
Available jobs: 720
Florida, next on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs has a lot of biomedical engineering jobs available. That is probably why more and more engineers are flocking to Florida. However, it also has to be noted that their annual salary is still less than the average. Plus, it’s hard to make advancements in cutting edge medical technology when you are drenched in sweat only the Floridan humidity can cause.
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21. Illinois
Annual Salary: $81,970
Cost of living index: 94.6
Available jobs: 260
With their low cost of living and high rates for biomedical engineering jobs, Illinois that ranked 21st on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs is no doubt one of the best states for biomedical engineers. There are plenty of available jobs as well. Don’t spend the entire $81, 970 on deep dish pizza, unless you also want to develop an artificial digestive track to take care of it.
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20. Oregon
Annual Salary: $90,720
Cost of living index: 115.6
Available jobs: 380
With several available jobs and a salary that is higher, you would think that Oregon might have been at the top part of the list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs. However, its cost of living is way too much. Moving there might work as long as you haven’t ore-gone over your budget!
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19. Ohio
Annual Salary: $70,390
Cost of living index: 93.8
Available jobs: 660
If you’re looking for a great place to be a biomedical engineer, Ohio is surely one ideal location. The pay might not be as much, but with a cost of living that’s this cheap and lots of jobs available, you know it’s still a good deal. Plus Ohio State University has 3 biomedical engineer programs, as does the University of Cincinnati.
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18. Georgia
Annual Salary: $76,630
Cost of living index: 91.4
Available jobs: 380
With this number of available biomedical engineering jobs, Georgia deserves to be on the list of the 25 best states for biomedical engineering jobs. Its cost of living is also one of the lowest in the country. Ray Charles knew what he was talking about.
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17. New York
Annual Salary: $89,760
Cost of living index: 131
Available jobs: 750
New York always has among the best jobs and the highest salary rates, but we all know what the downside is. The cost of living in the state has always been so painfully expensive. It’s like the old saying goes–concrete jungles don’t grow on trees.
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16. Maryland
Annual Salary: $91,910
Cost of living index: 125.5
Available jobs: 660
The annual salary is above the average, with a cost of living that is above the average as well. Maryland is still a great state for biomedical engineers, since there are a lot of jobs available for them. A quick scan of the job boards shows titles like Equipment Distribution Technician, Lab Tech, and NPD Senior Engineer II – Mechanical/Biomedical Engineer among others.
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15. North Carolina
Annual Salary: $78,910
Cost of living index: 93.9
Available jobs: 490
When looking for a place to stay, the cost of living should play high importance. North Carolina’s cost of living is very livable, even when the pay is a bit lower than the average. Besides, plenty of jobs are also available. Just don’t try to use their bathrooms–it’s a really sensitive topic for them. Hopefully, by the time you move there, they’ll have figured it out. Or perhaps you can engineer a biomedical solution to stupidity?
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14. Michigan
Annual Salary: $75,860
Cost of living index: 89
Available jobs: 230
Cost of living couldn’t get any better than this. With a very livable cost and pay that does not disappoint, Michigan is truly a great place for biomedical engineers. They have lots of jobs available as well. The biomedical graduate program at the University of Michigan offers 14 different PhD options including Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Neuroscience and Pharmacology.
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13. Missouri
Annual Salary: $80,600
Cost of living index: 90.4
Available jobs: 60
If you ever get a chance to land a biomedical engineering job in Missouri, you’re among the lucky ones. Its cost of living is one of the country’s lowest, and the pay is hovering near the average. Plus, Missouri has 88 hospitals including the top rankedBarnes-Jewish Hospital/Washington University in St. Louis.
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12. Massachusetts
Annual Salary: $93,020
Cost of living index: 133.4
Available jobs: 2,530
Massachusetts, next on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs is one of the best states to look for biomedical engineering jobs, since there are tons of jobs available. The pay is one of the best ones, too. The only downside is its cost of living–one of the highest ones in America, not very sustainable. Plus, you’d have to hear an awful lot about the Red Sox, which frankly you could do without.
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11. Virginia
Annual Salary: $94,850
Cost of living index: 100.8
Available jobs: 340
A pay that is higher than the average and cost of living rates that’s just right, Virginia also has several job openings for biomedical engineers. It is easily one of the best states to live in–it also has the benefit of being nearby Maryland another state on this list and Washington DC.
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10. Tennessee
Annual Salary: $78,420
Cost of living index: 89.4
Available jobs: 250
There are not a lot of states in America where you can spend less to sustain a good quality of life. Tennessee’s cost of living is one of the best ones. Even with pay that is lower than the average, it still makes sense. There are also quite a lot of jobs available. Tennessee BME, if they rhyme then you know it’s a sensible decision.
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9. New Mexico
Annual Salary: $102,110
Cost of living index: 96.5
Available jobs: 130
There is a great probability that the reason why there are only 130 available biomedical engineering jobs in New Mexico is because there are already a lot of engineers living in here. With a salary that is that high and the cost of living that low, it looks like the perfect balance. The University of New Mexico also has a Center for Biomedical Engineering established in 2005. Now, let’s see what’s next on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs.
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8. Colorado
Annual Salary: $98,230
Cost of living index: 103.8
Available jobs: 510
You might have to make little sacrifices on your spending since the cost of living is a little above national average. However, the pay is one that could not be ignored. The number of jobs available is enough to make you do the move, too.
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7. Utah
Annual Salary: $89,190
Cost of living index: 93
Available jobs: 420
With an annual salary that is higher than the average, and a cost of living index that is lower than most states, Utah, next on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs gives you a job offer you can’t resist. The jobs you can get look pretty neat as well. Time to see what all the fuss is about salty lakes.
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6. Indiana
Annual Salary: $69,990
Cost of living index: 89.5
Available jobs: 940
Sure, the pay is lower than other states, but with a cost of living that’s this low, Indiana still rightfully belongs to the list. There are also almost a thousand openings. With 98 acute care hospitals–there is bound to be work to be done.
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5. Kansas
Annual Salary: $107,970
Cost of living index: 89.9
Available jobs: 40
Not many jobs are available in Kansas for biomedical engineers, but if you are privileged enough to secure one, do not let it go. This state pays the highest salary for biomedical engineering jobs, and has a cost of living that’s many notches below the national average. With the median price for houses in Kansas at $145,000 you could certainly afford a great home there.
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4. California
Annual Salary: $104,620
Cost of living index: 135.9
Available jobs: 5,100
Nex on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs is California that holds the record for the most number of jobs available for biomedical engineers. They pay well, too. They could have ranked higher if not for their very high cost of living index. But they DO have beautiful beaches and I think there is some kind of entertainment industry starting to take shape out there.
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3. Arizona
Annual Salary: $93,030
Cost of living index: 98
Available jobs: 740
With an annual salary that is this good and a cost of living that is reasonable, Arizona, that ranked 3rd on our list of best states for biomedical engineering jobs is perhaps part of every biomedical engineer’s dream state. The jobs available do not disappoint either. You can also study biomaterials, biomedicine or biosensors at the University of Arizona.
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2. Minnesota
Annual Salary: $98,690
Cost of living index: 100.8
Available jobs: 1,100
With the high number of biomedical engineering jobs available and a salary that could pay the bills and still provide you the things you want, Minnesota is a great place to be. The cost of living does not hurt, too. Plus, the people are supposedly a really special kind of nice.
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1. Texas
Annual Salary: $85,970
Cost of living index: 90.7
Available jobs: 1,000
The salary rates offered by Texas are well stuck on the average, but the cost of living is one that’s ideal. With a thousand job openings available, this state is truly the best one to bag a biomedical engineering job.
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Biomedical engineers hold so much responsibility in the future of medicine and the world, it is very important to find the best state to practice the profession. The rankings of these states could change from time to time, as wages tend to fluctuate, too. Nevertheless, you can use this list of 25 best states for biomedical engineering jobs when making that decision.
