What can you do with a Biomedical Engineering degree?

First, some facts. Of the Biomedical Engineering graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 303 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 75%, Biomedical Engineering graduates have a higher likelihood (+8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 75%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, 55% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Biomedical Engineering graduate.

See the details:

View a random Biomedical Engineering graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2014 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biomedical Engineering. Also pursued further education since (see below).

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Manufacturing Engineer
Cooper[NAME REMOVED]rgical
May 2014 - Apr 2019
As a Manufacturing Engineer at Cooper[NAME REMOVED]rgical, the role requires extensive knowledge and skills in biomedical engineering to develop and improve manufacturing processes for medical devices, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Engineering.

FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATING
Master of Science - MS
Fairfield University
2017 - 2021
ABOUT

I am a Manufacturing Engineer with 5 years work experience in the FDA-regulated medical device industry.During my time at Cooper[NAME REMOVED]rgical, I helped my company efficiently and reliably manufacture quality products by introducing process improvement projects and introducing and validating new equipment/automation. With a team of quality, regulatory, and manufacturing personnel, I oversaw the processes for 157 products in the Disposable Medical Devices Value Stream. I love working in a fast-paced environment where I can interact closely with the finished product. I am a capable performer and valued team player who can meet and surpass the objectives and expectations of my position. My goal is to make a positive impact on patient/user outcomes.

What jobs can you get with a Biomedical Engineering degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with degrees in Biomedical Engineering, there is clearly a diverse array of jobs they have taken on, showcasing the various applications of their education. Many have found roles directly aligned with their field, particularly in areas such as clinical research, product development, and medical device engineering. For instance, positions such as Clinical Research Coordinator, Biomedical Engineer, or R&D Engineer explicitly require the technical skills and knowledge acquired during their studies in Biomedical Engineering. These roles commonly involve working closely with medical technologies, clinical trials, and product innovations, which highlight the critical intersection of engineering principles and healthcare solutions.

However, it’s also evident that a significant number of graduates have ventured into positions that may not be as closely linked to Biomedical Engineering. Jobs like sales representatives, project managers, or data analysts, while they may utilize some generalized skills gained through their degree, do not necessarily require specific biomedical knowledge on a daily basis. Many of these roles pivot more towards business-related functions, project management, or data analysis, which can often be filled by graduates from diverse engineering or science backgrounds. For instance, a Medical Device Sales Representative may leverage their biomedical knowledge in conversations with healthcare providers, but the core focus of the role is on sales and marketing rather than technical engineering tasks.

In summary, while many graduates of Biomedical Engineering find solid roles that directly apply their specialized knowledge and skills, a notable percentage end up in positions with limited relevance to their degree. Thus, it can be said that Biomedical Engineering degrees often lead to robust career opportunities within the medical technology and clinical research fields, but they also provide a versatile foundation that allows graduates to transition into various other roles, albeit with varying levels of connection to the discipline of engineering itself.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Biomedical Engineering graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Biomedical Engineering graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When exploring the career trajectories of Biomedical Engineering graduates, a mixed picture emerges. Many of these graduates land impactful roles soon after graduation, which is a good sign. For their first job, positions often include Clinical Research Coordinators, Quality Engineers, and various technical or sales roles in medical device companies—positions that align closely with their educational background. Graduates from institutions like Boston University, Duke, and the University of Michigan exhibit this trend, transitioning into clinical research or associate roles in reputable medical establishments. This initial choice showcases a promising alignment with their degree, indicating that these individuals generally aim to remain in relevant fields immediately post-graduation.

However, as we look further down the line—around five to ten years post-graduation—the paths begin to diverge significantly. A notable percentage of graduates transition out of traditional biomedical roles or significantly shift their responsibilities. For example, some who began in solid roles related to engineering or clinical research find themselves in positions focusing on quality assurance or project management which could be seen as lateral moves rather than upward progressions tied to engineering. Some individuals even venture into unrelated areas such as sales, education, or even management roles that don’t tap into their specialized skills in biomedical engineering. On the other hand, numerous graduates ascend to significant positions, such as attending physicians, senior R&D engineers, and clinical specialists, especially those who pursued advanced degrees or consistently aligned their moves toward progressive roles in prominent healthcare or advanced technology companies.

Ultimately, while several Biomedical Engineering graduates carve out fruitful and relevant careers, a good number also find themselves segwaying into areas that don’t utilize their specialized skills fully. It’s a reflection of the broader job market dynamics and personal career decisions, but it raises questions about what these graduates envision for their careers in the long run. So, for someone like you considering this major, it’s important to think about not just landing that first job, but how you'd like your career to evolve over time. Keeping options open while also honing in on your specific interests could be key.

How hard is a Biomedical Engineering degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Engineering can be pretty challenging, but it's not impossible! You'll dive into a mix of subjects, from math and physics to biology and engineering principles, which can be a lot to juggle. If you're someone who enjoys problem-solving and has a solid foundation in STEM subjects, you might find it manageable. Just be prepared for some tough classes and hands-on lab work. It’s generally considered to be on the harder side compared to other degrees, but the experience is super rewarding if you're passionate about the field!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Do Biomedical Engineering graduates tend to make good money?

When you look at the career trajectories of these Biomedical Engineering graduates, it appears that they've largely landed decent jobs in the industry. For many, especially those from higher-ranked schools like Johns Hopkins and Georgia Tech, the pathway leads to good roles in clinical research, engineering, and management positions at reputable organizations. Most of these positions tend to be well-paying, particularly those that involve specialized skills in research and development, clinical applications, or medical devices. For example, graduates moving directly into clinical specialist roles or product management positions are likely to see pretty good salaries, potentially reaching six figures after a few years.

That said, there are individuals who started with more entry-level or temporary positions (like cashiers or research assistants) before transitioning into their careers, indicating that while the starting pay isn't always stellar, persistence often leads to better earnings down the line. Overall, it seems like most of these graduates are on a path that could lead to making decent money over time, especially as they gain more experience and expertise in their fields.

What buzzwords do Biomedical Engineering graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Biomedical Engineering. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Biomedical Engineering?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Biomedical Engineering (ordered by the average relevance score of their Biomedical Engineering graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
Georgia Institute of Technology 78 12