We surveyed 1,340 biomedical engineers to better understand the work environment and required skills of a typical biomedical engineer. Here are the results.
How much intelligence is required as a biomedical engineer?
Low
High
Working as a biomedical engineer typically requires higher levels of intelligence when compared with the average career. This means that biomedical engineers are required to actively learn new things related to their discipline and solve complex problems.
Can I learn to become a biomedical engineer?
Intrinsic Talent
Acquired Talent
A career as a biomedical engineer typically depends predominantly on qualities you can gain through experience, with a small aspect of skills you are born with.
Is it easy to get a job as a biomedical engineer?
Easy
Hard
It’s typically difficult to find a job as a biomedical engineer. If you’re curious about the numbers, check out the job market for biomedical engineers.
Do biomedical engineers work full-time or part-time?
73% of biomedical engineers work in full-time roles while 27% work part-time.
Is being a biomedical engineer stressful?
Low
High
Biomedical engineers tend not to find their jobs stressful, which likely contributes positively to career satisfaction.
Is being organized important as a biomedical engineer?
Low
High
Some level of organization is generally required to be a biomedical engineer.
How competitive is the workplace for biomedical engineers?
Low
High
Competition at work is not common for biomedical engineers.
Does being a biomedical engineer require frequent time pressure to complete tasks?
Low
High
Time pressure tends not to be a major contributor of stress for biomedical engineers.
Are biomedical engineers allowed to express themselves creatively?
Low
High
Biomedical engineers are afforded a certain level of ability to express themselves creatively, compared to other careers.
Do biomedical engineers have control over the direction of their work?
Low
High
While sometimes the direction is set, occasionally biomedical engineers will have some flexibility over the direction of their work.
Is being a biomedical engineer physically demanding?
Low
High
Work as a biomedical engineers is not the most physically demanding of careers, falling in the bottom half of all careers.
Are biomedical engineers exposed to a wide variety of work?
Low
High
While sometimes repetitive, biomedical engineers tend to have opportunities for variety in their work.
Does being a biomedical engineer require attention to detail?
Low
High
Attention to detail isn't necessarily required to be successful as a biomedical engineer.
Does being a good biomedical engineer require compassion and empathy?
Low
High
Being compassionate and empathetic is considered helpful to those looking to pursue careers as biomedical engineers.