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Biotechnologist vs biomedical engineer

The differences between biotechnologists and biomedical engineers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a biotechnologist, becoming a biomedical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a biomedical engineer has an average salary of $79,436, which is higher than the $54,160 average annual salary of a biotechnologist.

The top three skills for a biotechnologist include R, GMP and DNA. The most important skills for a biomedical engineer are patients, medical devices, and biomedical equipment.

Biotechnologist vs biomedical engineer overview

BiotechnologistBiomedical Engineer
Yearly salary$54,160$79,436
Hourly rate$26.04$38.19
Growth rate9%10%
Number of jobs10,86233,662
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Average age4038
Years of experience42

Biotechnologist vs biomedical engineer salary

Biotechnologists and biomedical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.

BiotechnologistBiomedical Engineer
Average salary$54,160$79,436
Salary rangeBetween $36,000 And $80,000Between $57,000 And $108,000
Highest paying CitySilver Spring, MDSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateConnecticutCalifornia
Best paying companyAbbVieCornerstone Research
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between biotechnologist and biomedical engineer education

There are a few differences between a biotechnologist and a biomedical engineer in terms of educational background:

BiotechnologistBiomedical Engineer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 65%
Most common majorBiologyBiomedical Engineering
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Biotechnologist vs biomedical engineer demographics

Here are the differences between biotechnologists' and biomedical engineers' demographics:

BiotechnologistBiomedical Engineer
Average age4038
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 13.5% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 20.1% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage6%13%

Differences between biotechnologist and biomedical engineer duties and responsibilities

Biotechnologist example responsibilities.

  • Manage laboratories and perform clinical research in diabetic and thyroid disease states.
  • Perform standard PCR assays for research group.
  • Purify enzymes using gravity, low pressure liquid chromatography, and AKTA FPLC.
  • Participate in semi-annual proficiency testing for forensic casework (CTS) and proficiency testing for engraftment monitoring (ASHI).
  • Quantify the final product form using solvent extraction and normal phase HPLC.
  • Maintain documentation and batch records in accordance with ISO and CE-IVD regulations.
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Biomedical engineer example responsibilities.

  • Lead writing of new grant submissions to agencies such as the NIH, NIA, and VA.
  • Implement modifications to place equipment for 12-lead ECG investigation that lead to changes in accept monitoring standards.
  • Manage routine small projects without assistance and support larger projects for improvements to the quality system as approved by management.
  • Manage Terraform and refactore from monolithic to application specific components.
  • Present test results of various medical instruments in hospital in team meetings using PowerPoint.
  • Experience in OSHA, AAMI and HIPA standards.
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Biotechnologist vs biomedical engineer skills

Common biotechnologist skills
  • R, 23%
  • GMP, 13%
  • DNA, 13%
  • PCR, 12%
  • Assays, 10%
  • Extraction, 10%
Common biomedical engineer skills
  • Patients, 11%
  • Medical Devices, 8%
  • Biomedical Equipment, 7%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • FDA, 6%
  • Electrical Safety, 5%

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