Biomedical engineering, as the name suggests, is a multi-disciplinary field. It combines the principles of biology and engineering techniques to improve human health. Some of the most notable breakthroughs in biomedical engineering include X-ray machines, ECG machines, and the use of nanotechnology to detect and treat cancer at the cellular level. Biomedical engineering can enable you to develop the next breakthrough device or procedure that can save or improve human lives. Furthermore, it is an emerging field with an excellent career scope.

An undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering makes you eligible for several entry-level jobs. However, you can pursue advanced degrees or specializations to increase your marketability and qualify for leadership roles in this field. Students with a biology or engineering undergraduate degree can also pursue a master’s or other advanced degrees in biomedical engineering offered by various universities across the US. Part-time and online degree options are also available for convenience.

Biomedical engineering is ideal for people passionate about medicine and engineering disciplines like electronics, mechanics, and more. It is a field that offers various benefits, and in this article, we will discuss some of the advantages of pursuing biomedical engineering.

1.    High Average Salary

Biomedical engineering is one of the highest-paid professions in the US. However, various factors like qualification, years of experience, and others can influence your earning potential in this industry. Moreover, the biomedical engineering salary can also vary based on the organization you work in. Mostly, biomedical engineers working for the government earn the lowest salaries, while those working for private research institutes, hospitals, universities, and other organizations can make as much as $110,000 per year.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the average salary of biomedical engineers was around $92,620 in 2020, which equates to almost $44.53 per hour. So overall, pursuing advanced degrees and gaining experience in the field can significantly increase your earning potential.

2.    Variety of Career Options

Biomedical engineering is a multi-disciplinary field so that biomedical engineers can work in various unique settings. Some industries you can work in include hospitals, educational institutes, research facilities, universities, and the manufacturing industry. Biomedical engineering provides you with the opportunity to;

• Design and maintain biomedical machines like bionic arms, artificial hearts, and more
• Collaborate with other professionals like chemists, life scientists, and engineers
• Train healthcare workers to optimally use biomedical devices
• Educate and train the next generation of biomedical engineers
• Evaluate the effectiveness of biomedical machines

All in all, biomedical engineering is an exciting career that allows you to work in numerous settings and perform different duties.

3.    Promising Career Outlook

Biomedical engineering is an in-demand and growing profession in several developed countries like the US, UK, Australia, and more. There are plenty of job opportunities in various institutions. The world is dealing with many issues in healthcare, like the lowering birth rate in developed countries, and biomedical engineers can effectively develop technologies to meet the demands of the new and aging population.

According to the bureau of labor statistics, the employment rate of biomedical engineering will grow 6 percent from 2020 to 2030, with almost 1,400 job openings per year. These job openings will result from several people exiting the workforce by retirement and increased accessibility of technical education.

4.    Plenty of Advancement Opportunities

Biomedical engineering provides plenty of opportunities for advancement. Advanced degrees and specializations can make you eligible for several lucrative job positions. Popular specialization options in biomedical engineering include;

Clinical Engineering

Clinical engineers utilize medical instruments to optimize healthcare delivery. For example, clinical engineers design biomedical equipment such as nebulizers.

Neural Engineering

Neural engineers manipulate the functions of the nervous systems to repair or enhance them. People with neural disorders can immensely benefit from this advancement.

Rehabilitation Engineering

Rehabilitation engineers design innovative devices like bionic arms to assist people with physical and cognitive impairments.

Systems Physiology

Systems physiologists study the biological processes of living things like humans, bacteria, and animals and develop products like insulin in a natural environment.

5.    Encourages the Development of In-demand Skills

A biomedical engineering degree equips you with various skills to help you in your career and other aspects of life. Some essential skills that you can gain in this field include;

Creativity

Biomedical engineering encourages you to think out of the box. It teaches you to be creative to introduce new techniques and invent new procedures in the field.

Problem-solving Skills

Biomedical Engineers have to work with complex biological and mechanical systems in which one small mistake can have various side effects. Therefore, biomedical engineers are encouraged to strengthen their problem-solving skills to deal with unexpected obstacles quickly.

Communication Skills

As a biomedical engineer, you will have to work with various other professionals. Therefore, biomedical engineers are encouraged to polish their communication skills to communicate their research and findings effectively.

Analytical Skills

Biomedical engineers are encouraged to strengthen their analytical skills to analyze the needs of the population, research, and provide solutions accordingly.

Math Skills

Biomedical engineers study various mathematical disciplines like calculus, statistics, and more to develop skills.

The Bottom Line

Biomedical engineering is an emerging and in-demand profession. It is a field with various advantages. Biomedical engineers can earn a high average salary and are considered one of the highest-paid professionals in the US. As a biomedical engineer, you can work in a variety of settings. Biomedical engineering offers a promising career outlook and equips you with exceptional skills that can help you in your career and life. Moreover, this field also provides you with plenty of advancement opportunities. Hopefully, this article will help you understand the advantages of pursuing biomedical engineering.