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The differences between materials scientists 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 materials scientist, becoming a biomedical engineer takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a materials scientist has an average salary of $84,459, which is higher than the $79,436 average annual salary of a biomedical engineer.
The top three skills for a materials scientist include polymer, SEM and materials characterization. The most important skills for a biomedical engineer are patients, medical devices, and biomedical equipment.
| Materials Scientist | Biomedical Engineer | |
| Yearly salary | $84,459 | $79,436 |
| Hourly rate | $40.61 | $38.19 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 46,795 | 33,662 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
A materials scientist is responsible for evaluating scientific properties, investigating chemical solutions and structures, and analyzing the components of natural materials. Materials scientists perform data analysis using scientific methods and operating different laboratory tools and equipment to develop entirely new scientific discoveries that would benefit various market industries for production. They also validate their findings by researching existing cases or coordinating with science experts to support their claims. A materials scientist creates a comprehensive report, including its scope and benefits for society.
As a biomedical engineer, it's their main job responsibility to innovate advances that can improve human health care in all aspects. They analyze and create solutions to certain problems with biology and medicine to improve the effectiveness and quality of patient care. They also do complex tasks that include installing, repairing, maintaining, or providing technical support for biomedical equipment. Moreover, checking safety evaluation, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment is also part of their job responsibilities.
Materials scientists and biomedical engineers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Materials Scientist | Biomedical Engineer | |
| Average salary | $84,459 | $79,436 |
| Salary range | Between $59,000 And $119,000 | Between $57,000 And $108,000 |
| Highest paying City | Novato, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | California |
| Best paying company | Meta | Cornerstone Research |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a materials scientist and a biomedical engineer in terms of educational background:
| Materials Scientist | Biomedical Engineer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Chemistry | Biomedical Engineering |
| Most common college | Cornell University | Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Here are the differences between materials scientists' and biomedical engineers' demographics:
| Materials Scientist | Biomedical Engineer | |
| Average age | 42 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 72.9% Female, 27.1% | Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.9% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 8.5% Asian, 29.6% White, 51.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | 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 Percentage | 5% | 13% |