Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.

Most important skills

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Speaking
Mathematics
Science
Critical Thinking
Complex Problem Solving

Key knowledge

Engineering and Technology
Computers and Electronics
Mathematics
Design
Physics
Biology
English Language
Medicine and Dentistry

What the work involves

Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.
Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.
Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.

Strongest interest areas (O*NET): Investigative, Realistic, Conventional.

Qualifications and licensing

Most common education: Bachelor's Degree (43.5% of respondents)
Related experience: None (26.1%)
On-the-job training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months (21.7%)
Preparation level: O*NET job zone 4: Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Licensing: Not yet verified. Check your state licensing board.

Check before planning

Licensing for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is not yet verified for any state: check the state licensing board before planning.

Limits

Distributions show what current workers or occupational experts report, not legal minimums.
Requirements vary by employer and state; time to qualify is not estimated.

Source: O*NET 31.0 Database (USDOL/ETA, CC BY 4.0); BLS Employment Projections · dataset 2026.10.8 · method e3-qualification-1.0.0

Work environment

How the typical conditions of this occupation compare with 911 occupations in O*NET (very low = the lowest fifth).

Levels are relative. Most occupations involve a lot of contact with people, for example, so “very low” can still mean regular contact; the last column shows what workers actually reported.

Rankings compare typical U.S. occupation-level work conditions; individual jobs and employers vary. Data: O*NET 31.0 Work Context and BLS wages (May 2025).
Condition	Level	Compared with other occupations	Most common answer (O*NET survey)
Contact with others	Very low	Lower on contact with others than 85% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Contact with others most of the time”
Dealing with the public	Low	Lower on dealing with the public than 72% of occupations compared	35% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly important”
Teamwork	High	Higher on teamwork than 60% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Extremely important”
Freedom to make decisions	Low	Lower on freedom to make decisions than 63% of occupations compared	64% of surveyed respondents chose “Some freedom”
Time pressure	Low	Lower on time pressure than 77% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a month or more but not every week”
Conflict situations	Very low	Lower on conflict situations than 82% of occupations compared	65% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people	Very low	Lower on dealing with unpleasant or angry people than 84% of occupations compared	52% of surveyed respondents chose “Once a year or more but not every month”
Consequence of error	Low	Lower on consequence of error than 68% of occupations compared	48% of surveyed respondents chose “Fairly serious”

Work-pressure profile

Time pressure: low
Conflict situations: very low
Dealing with unpleasant or angry people: very low
Consequence of error: low

Each part is shown on its own. There is no combined stress score, and conditions vary by employer and role.

Full answer distributions