Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for biomedical engineering technicians in the United States
Biomedical engineering technician job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected biomedical engineering technician job growth rate is 17% from 2018-2028.
About 10,000 new jobs for biomedical engineering technicians are projected over the next decade.
Biomedical engineering technician salaries have increased 5% for biomedical engineering technicians in the last 5 years.
There are over 15,342 biomedical engineering technicians currently employed in the United States.
There are 79,647 active biomedical engineering technician job openings in the US.
The average biomedical engineering technician salary is $59,711.
Are biomedical engineering technician jobs in demand?
Biomedical engineering technician job and salary trends over time
Biomedical engineering technician jobs over time
Biomedical engineering technician job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,342 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,123 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 14,171 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 15,189 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 14,790 | 0.00% |
Average biomedical engineering technician salary over time
Biomedical engineering technician salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $59,711 | $28.71 | +2.1% |
| 2024 | $58,485 | $28.12 | +1.5% |
| 2023 | $57,603 | $27.69 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $56,719 | $27.27 | --0.2% |
| 2021 | $56,810 | $27.31 | +1.7% |
Biomedical engineering technician jobs by state
Most common states for biomedical engineering technicians
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 240 | 35% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 193 | 26% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 1,622 | 24% |
| 4 | Delaware | 961,939 | 231 | 24% |
| 5 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 304 | 23% |
| 6 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 290 | 22% |
| 7 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 235 | 22% |
| 8 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 158 | 21% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 1,096 | 20% |
| 10 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 619 | 20% |
| 11 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,534 | 18% |
| 12 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 984 | 18% |
| 13 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 634 | 18% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 552 | 18% |
| 15 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 190 | 18% |
| 16 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 106 | 18% |
| 17 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,274 | 17% |
| 18 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 322 | 17% |
| 19 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 150 | 17% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 270 | 16% |
Most common cities for biomedical engineering technicians
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wesley Chapel | 2 | 5% | $51,378 |
| 2 | Eureka | 1 | 4% | $66,182 |
| 3 | Gainesville | 1 | 3% | $58,006 |
| 4 | Alexandria | 1 | 2% | $52,641 |
| 5 | Battle Creek | 1 | 2% | $62,048 |
| 6 | Council Bluffs | 1 | 2% | $55,855 |
| 7 | Cupertino | 1 | 2% | $66,636 |
| 8 | Baltimore | 7 | 1% | $58,368 |
| 9 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $51,543 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | 2 | 1% | $52,823 |
| 11 | Ann Arbor | 1 | 1% | $62,968 |
| 12 | Apple Valley | 1 | 1% | $63,270 |
| 13 | Boston | 3 | 0% | $59,833 |
| 14 | Seattle | 3 | 0% | $68,436 |
| 15 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $49,731 |
| 16 | Detroit | 1 | 0% | $63,449 |
Biomedical Engineering Technician job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of biomedical engineering technician experts
University of Maine
Arizona State University
Widener University
College of Saint Mary
University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Medical College of Wisconsin
University of Delaware
Florida Institute of Technology
Framingham State University
University of Connecticut
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Marilyn Cipolla PhD: Having experience from an internship or doing research will likely make you more attractive as an applicant applying to different positions in BME. If looking for higher salary position, industry is probably the place to look. But having a career is not all about salary, and if you follow your interests, the money will come.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Timothy Lannin: I've asked industry leaders the question 'why would you hire a bioengineer to a team instead of hiring a mix of mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and biologists?' They gave a few insights. First, bioengineers design and execute great experiments. Biological things are squishy and messy, and although some things can be explained with math models and physics/chemistry, proving reliability comes down to experimentation. Some among engineers, bioengineers do that more than most other engineering disciplines. Bioengineers live at the interface between science (discovering new knowledge) and engineering (using knowledge to solve problems). Second, there is a breadth in bioengineering training that allows bioengineers to speak the language of many disciplines. There is training in mechanics, electronics, and biology that a bioengineer can use to bring teams together. Third, bioengineering has emerged with a number of techniques (e.g. genetic manipulations) that are specific to this discipline, that are the best way to solve many problems.
What will help Biomedical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Timothy Lannin: My advice would be to 1) learn lots of hands-on skills (coding, wet lab, experimental design), 2) use math/chemistry/physics to describe something simply (but roughly) before diving into too much complexity, and 3) focus on finding a team of co-workers and colleagues who value your growth and treat you with kindness and respect.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Karissa Tilbury Ph.D: With the use of AI, the importance of critical thinking is vital. I anticipate that this will continue as critical thinking is what separates us from AI technology.
What general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
Josh Hihath Ph.D.: It is becoming increasingly important to be able to work with machine learning systems. As these systems become more prevalent they will become part of the workflow for many engineering jobs. Understanding how they work, and how to work with them will be critical to being successful.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Josh Hihath Ph.D.: I would say its very important to look at what specific subfield you want to specialize in. When you come out of engineering school with a bachelor's degree, you have a very general skill set, it is your first job that will help define your specialty within Biomedical Engineering.
Professor Alejandro Ojeda
ProfessorWhat general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
Professor Alejandro Ojeda: Demonstrate that you can contribute and add value right away. One differentiator between BMEs and other engineering fields is that you have been introduced to product and process development, in addition to the engineering fundamentals you and your peers in other engineering majors have learned in school. This means that you are, although inexperienced, knowledgeable in the fields of design development, risk management, project management, verification, validation, and operations. You speak the industry’s language. Additionally, BME requires students to be well-versed in multiple engineering and scientific fields, instead of hyperspecializing in one. Use this to your advantage. Become articulate in communicating this skillset to potential employers. I have seen numerous recent grads who skip entry-level Engineering I positions or are offered higher starting salaries because they can contribute beyond what is expected at their experience level.
What will help Biomedical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Professor Alejandro Ojeda: Accept the fact that this is only the beginning of your journey. Despite how well prepared and knowledgeable you are coming out of engineering school, there is still so much to learn and discover. Keep an open mind. Make it your ethos to become approachable and coachable. You will now have the time and latitude to actively pursue your interests and grow as an engineer. Learn something new every day. You’d be amazed at how many seasoned engineering professionals are willing to teach you and train you if you are willing to ask.
What general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
Aylin Acun PhD: Stay informed about industry trends and be proactive about continuously improving your skills. Seek professional development opportunities: advanced degrees, certifications, or specialized training in areas such as machine learning or healthcare analytics.
What will help Biomedical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Aylin Acun PhD: I would encourage the new graduates to keep a close eye on the latest advancements, trends, and technologies in biomedical information sciences as the field is rapidly evolving. Make sure to build and maintain a strong professional network within the information sciences community as well as others with diverse backgrounds such as engineers, computer scientists, and clinicians. Usually building a network is promoted but not enough emphasis is given to maintaining these connections, which is very crucial. Finally, do not shy away from asking for mentorship from those with experience in the specific subfields that you are particularly interested in. Hearing about their valuable insights, advice, and perspective could be career defining.
Jennifer Grove PhD
Associate Professor of BiologyCollege of Saint Mary
Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
What general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
Jennifer Grove PhD: This is a great profession to enter as there are many options for an individual interested in laboratory work. The best part of being a lab technician is the flexibility of working in many different departments and having the opportunity to work in a variety of fields that suit the individual. For example, someone interested in healthcare can choose to work in a diagnostic clinical lab specializing in genetics, histology, or chemical analytes. This technician would be meticulous in carrying out the necessary testing to deliver to the clinician for diagnosis and treatment needs. An individual interested in developing alternative pesticides than traditional chemicals can work in agricultural industries manipulating the genome to construct new strains of crops that are naturally able to fight off insects. Some individuals might look at working for universities helping graduate students and primary scientists work on specific studies involving cancer research and drug design. There are numerous options and opportunities for someone interested in biotechnology laboratory positions.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jennifer Grove PhD: People working in the laboratory typically like the physical experimentation and assay work that the lab requires. They are typically individuals who enjoy following protocols and “recipes” to carry out the testing. Many lab technicians are able to work independently throughout the day performing their necessary tasks and reporting their results. Many individuals find comfort in knowing what to expect each day. Lab technicians typically have set tasks that need to be completed on a regular schedule and this can be enjoyable to some but also monotonous to others. Some individuals dislike the same routine and tasks that may be performed daily but this is dependent on the type of lab they work in. Individuals who like constant variation and change to their daily routine can find a lab where a variety of different testing and research is conducted. There many opportunities for someone to find what fits them best.
What general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
James Blanchette: Health care is a massive industry. Individuals with a strong quantitative background will have opportunities to engage in entrepreneurship, optimization of devices/processes and advancing fundamental knowledge. This work can be done in a field which has a positive impact on the quality of life of those around you.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
James Blanchette: People with degrees in Biomedical Engineering generally work within the broader engineering field where it interfaces with patient care and the life sciences. The daily tasks will vary broadly as biomedical engineers may focus on: imaging; biomaterials; discovery and delivery of therapeutics; modeling and simulation of biological processes; and biomechanics.
What will help Biomedical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
James Blanchette: Health care is a massive industry. Individuals with a strong quantitative background will have opportunities to engage in entrepreneurship, optimization of devices/processes and advancing fundamental knowledge. This work can be done in a field which has a positive impact on the quality of life of those around you.
Colin Briskey
Visiting Assistant Professor of VoiceUniversity of Massachusetts - Lowell
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
What general advice would you give to a Biomedical Engineering Technician?
Colin Briskey: While I would give slightly different advice for someone who is soon to graduate, has graduated and is looking for a job, or has graduated and is starting a job, there are some universal pieces of advice that I've found useful.1) Your environment should be full of opportunities. Take advantage of them. Whether there are technical/soft skill training opportunities inside/outside the institution, or opportunities to simply observe a senior personnel doing what you hope to do one day, pursue the opportunities that interest you and match with your professional goals the most. If you find yourself in an organization that doesn't create opportunities for their employees/students, you may want to look for another organization. 2) Along those lines, find your people. There are a seemingly infinite number of quotes that reflect the sentiment, but the idea is that you'll be influenced most by those around you; not the geographical region or the size/shape of your desk. As you look toward your next position/opportunity, consider how the values of that institution match with yours. If they don't, there's no amount of pay and compensation that will keep you happy in that position after 3-5 years.
What Biomedical Engineering Technician skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Colin Briskey: Like the associated curricula, Biomedical Engineering jobs are so multi-disciplinary that this is a difficult question to answer. I'll speak to an emerging intersection within Biomedical Engineering; between cell and tissue engineering and drug development. The FDA has recently gained congressional authorization and further signaled that in vitro models may now serve as Drug Development Tools (DDTs) and, in some cases, take the place of small animal testing. Once the FDA releases the detailed criteria for qualifying in vitro DDTs, there will be a strong push within industry toward developing qualifying tissue models and the internal infrastructure necessary to apply them at scale. The skill sets necessary to thrive in that emerging market will be aseptic culture techniques, development and/or operation of multiplexed bioreactors, extracellular electrophysiology and impedance spectroscopy, and induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation, to name a few. Additionally, there will be new positions related to the regulatory compliance of qualifying and using qualified DDTs.
What will help Biomedical Engineering Technicians increase their earning potential?
Colin Briskey: Like the associated curricula, Biomedical Engineering jobs are so multi-disciplinary that this is a difficult question to answer. I'll speak to an emerging intersection within Biomedical Engineering; between cell and tissue engineering and drug development. The FDA has recently gained congressional authorization and further signaled that in vitro models may now serve as Drug Development Tools (DDTs) and, in some cases, take the place of small animal testing. Once the FDA releases the detailed criteria for qualifying in vitro DDTs, there will be a strong push within industry toward developing qualifying tissue models and the internal infrastructure necessary to apply them at scale. The skill sets necessary to thrive in that emerging market will be aseptic culture techniques, development and/or operation of multiplexed bioreactors, extracellular electrophysiology and impedance spectroscopy, and induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation, to name a few. Additionally, there will be new positions related to the regulatory compliance of qualifying and using qualified DDTs.
Fabrice Jotterand Ph.D.
Professor, Bioethics and Medical Humanities, Director, Graduate Program in Bioethics, Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities; Director, Philosophies of Medical Education Transformation Laboratory (P-METaL), Kern InstituteMedical College of Wisconsin
Center for Bioethics and Medical Humanities
What soft skills should all Biomedical Engineering Technicians possess?
Fabrice Jotterand Ph.D.: Critical thinking, communication, listening skills, conflict resolution, empathy, assertiveness, understanding of health care/medicine/medical practice, ability to connect with MDs, health care professionals, and, if clinical bioethicist, with patients.
Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Director, Clinical and Corporate OutreachUniversity of Delaware
Department of Biomedical Engineering
What hard/technical skills are most important for Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.: Due to the pandemic and virtual classes, many students may not have received the hands-on exposure to hardware (electrical and/or mechanical, for example) that students generally do. In lieu of that, if students can show that they worked on side projects, whether for labs, companies, or even self-initiated projects, that can help set them apart. These projects could be not only hardware-related but also software-related. It shows that they took the initiative and possess the technical expertise and troubleshooting skills expected of an engineer. Additionally, any experience and exposure pertaining to quality control systems, medical devices and equipment, and the regulatory pathway are extremely useful for biomedical engineers.
What skills stand out on Biomedical Engineering Technician resumes?
Ashutosh Khandha Ph.D.: Often, biomedical engineers must work with an interdisciplinary team composed of medical professionals, patients, and scientists. If students can demonstrate experience or an ability to work in an interdisciplinary team, either through an internship or a project within the curriculum, that can really help them stand out. Most companies and businesses anticipate that fresh graduates will need training on the job, but they do expect that graduates have a clear understanding of engineering fundamentals and will work well in a team setting.
James Brenner
Associate ProfessorFlorida Institute of Technology
Biomedical and Chemical Engineering and Sciences Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Biomedical Engineering Technician job market given the pandemic?
James Brenner: Anything COVID-related is obviously a priority. Most BME's are qualified to move into UV disinfection, but don't realize it. I employ several BME's for an UV LED disinfection company myself. BME's need to cross-train to include more CAD, computer programming, and making (3D printing, laser cutting, etc.) skills.
Sunny Tam Ph.D.
Director of the PSM BiotechnologyFramingham State University
Biotechnology Department
What soft skills should all Biomedical Engineering Technicians possess?
Sunny Tam Ph.D.: Soft skills or Power skills are critical for every professional, certainly including the Biotech workers. Employers in the Biotech industry often feel that technical training can be taught to new workers; while the integrity and character of individual are not easily transformable. Of course, everyone deserves many chances to improve so that a higher standard of behavior and diplomacy can be mandated within the Biopharmaceutical industry.
This industry is also unique in its regulatory and ethical environment.
Hence, soft skills requirement for the industry could include team work, analytical thinking, detailed planning, global perspective, good communication, humor, politeness, leadership and an open mind. Every person in a company needs to play a unique role as the proper member of the TEAM, in order to be competitive.
Even though the industry will follow a set of standard operating procedures, each employee must understand the foundation of these procedures through analytical thinking and scientific rationale. In a team environment, detailed planning and timeline will assure the success of the projects and profitability of the company. Biotech is a global enterprise with products marketed worldwide. An understanding across culture, ethnic groups, global regulatory landscape and marketing needs will greatly improve the Target Product Profile. Finally, good personal communications, diplomatic manner, and respect for others are true sign of good leadership in a Team. Often time, an organization can devote resources in seminars, fire chats, formal courses or internal mentoring to discuss and develop these soft skills for the employees or new hires. Hackathon within an organization also can provide scenarios that many employees together can expand these important skills for the growth of the organization.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Sunny Tam Ph.D.: For newly graduates from Biotech education or even current professionals in the field, one must continue to learn and understand new technology development in this life saving industry. As small molecule drugs or big protein biologics are complemented with Cell & Gene Therapy or mRNA therapeutics, one must continue to learn and receive new training in these cutting edge technology. Hence; certificates, workshops, seminars or courses in these technology area will transform the status of individual professionals by elevating one's knowledge in these growing area. Advanced knowledge will also increase one's worthiness and competitiveness in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Besides of technical knowhow, one has to update one's knowledge in the regulatory world as the bio-pharmaceutical industry is a highly regulated enterprise.
Certificates/licenses/courses focusing on the knowledge of GLP, GMP, GCP, Lean, Six Sigma, CQA, CQE are very valuable knowledge or certifications in this industry. Drug development is a long process, requiring many stages and expertise to oversee the safety and manufacturing of the efficacious product during its life cycle management. Traditionally, project management skill development is critical in managing this complex enterprise. More recently with the advancement in Data Analytics and Digital Stimulation, it has helped biotech professionals to plan and execute complex biopharmaceutical operations. Hence, recent graduates should receive training in data analyses, computer programming, applications with artificial intelligence, biostatistics and mathematical stimulation. After all, the current biopharmaceutical world is going through a revolution in Pharma 4.0 in which augmented reality and virtual reality tools are quickly playing key roles in biopharmaceutical training, auditing, record keeping for drug discovery, biomanufacturing and clinical studies.
What technical skills for a Biomedical Engineering Technician stand out to employers?
Yupeng Chen Ph.D.: Impacted by the pandemic, employers will prefer candidates who can work remotely and communicate effectively in a virtual office environment, so it is very important for candidates to get familiar with general office software as well as commonly used virtual communication platforms.
What's a good job out of college for Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Yupeng Chen Ph.D.: Any job that fits the student's overall career goal is a good job. Many students weigh too much on salary which should not be the dominating factor. It is more important for students to think about whether this job can offer a platform to learn valuable skills and a path to develop a successful career.
What technical skills for a Biomedical Engineering Technician stand out to employers?
Ge Wang Ph.D.: As mentioned above, the AI stuff has attracted immediate attentions. The relevant courses will prepare our students better for the job market in the next several years. RPI has been promoting these things for a number of years, as an integral part of our strategic plan. Partnership with IBM and other companies is also invaluable.
What's a good job out of college for Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Ge Wang Ph.D.: This depends on students. As a major engineer school, our students are in great need by both established and start-up companies. Research-oriented training and jobs are also excellent options.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Biomedical Engineering Technician job market given the pandemic?
Ge Wang Ph.D.: A major trend is that artificial intelligence / machine learning / deep learning is making an increasingly great impact on many aspects of research, development and applications. This is a paradigm shift towards data-driven, well-connected, and highly intelligence communities. Our BME department has significantly increased data science and learning-based contents. It seems that students like these materials very much.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Kristen Labazzo Ph.D.: Only time will tell, but what I can say is, students who were/are in critical lab-based courses during a remote learning phase will obviously be impacted. While our professors have done their best to adapt lab classes and even research opportunities virtually, nothing beats handling an instrument, running an assay, or performing an experiment in person. I am concerned that the students who had a bulk of their hands-on courses during virtual learning have missed out on learning skills that their older or younger peers will have.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Biomedical Engineering Technicians?
Kristen Labazzo Ph.D.: Having a solid core academic foundation is always important, and certificates can be useful, but I think for industry preparedness, a co-op or internship is the best experience. Experiential learning truly immerses you in the environment, and puts all of the academic learnings into context.
What soft skills should all Biomedical Engineering Technicians possess?
Kristen Labazzo Ph.D.: Soft skills are definitely on the radar more than they used to be! It's not enough to be technically skilled at your job; companies want people who can communicate and fit into the culture of the company. So I would definitely say good communication and writing skills. You need to be able to describe what you do in 2 minutes if you run into the CEO (the "elevator pitch") but also how to give an effective presentation to a diverse audience at a company meeting. There is also a new term; Emotional IQ. Companies want workers who respond appropriately to situations, whether it be switching gears b/c the CTO wants data from another experiment for a board meeting, or receiving constructive feedback from a manager. You have to be flexible and adaptive and sometimes you have to pivot unexpectedly.