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Occupation Description

Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and heath management and care delivery systems.

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State and National Wages

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

Location	Pay Period	2009
		10%	25%	Median	75%	90%
United States	Hourly	$23.79	$29.32	$37.92	$48.50	$59.27
	Yearly	$49,500	$61,000	$78,900	$100,900	$123,300
Wisconsin	Hourly	$25.60	$30.46	$40.13	$49.45	$55.66
	Yearly	$53,200	$63,400	$83,500	$102,900	$115,800

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Wage Table

Hourly Wage Chart

Yearly Wage Chart

• High is the wage at which 90% of workers earn less and 10% earn more.
• Middle is the wage at which 50% of workers earn less and 50% earn more.
• Low is the wage at which 10% of workers earn less and 90% earn more.

Occupation Wages FAQs

Median Wage by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Survey
State Data Source: Wisconsin Occupational Employment Statistics

State and National Trends

Note: The data for the State Employment Trends and the National Employment Trends are not directly comparable. The projections period for state data is 2006-2016, while the projections period for national data is 2008-2018.

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Employment Trends by Occupation Across States
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National Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections
State Data Source: Wisconsin Workforce Information, Bureau of Labor Statistics Programs

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Biomedical Engineers.

Knowledge:

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Skills:

• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Technology Design - Generating or adapting equipment and technology to serve user needs.

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Source: Occupational Information Network: Biomedical Engineers.

Tasks and Activities

Occupation specific tasks and the most important generalized work activities are listed for Biomedical Engineers.

Occupation Specific Tasks:

• Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
• Advise and assist in the application of instrumentation in clinical environments.
• Advise hospital administrators on the planning, acquisition, and use of medical equipment.
• Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
• Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
• Design and deliver technology to assist people with disabilities.
• Design and develop medical diagnostic and clinical instrumentation, equipment, and procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
• Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
• Develop new applications for energy sources, such as using nuclear power for biomedical implants.
• Diagnose and interpret bioelectric data, using signal processing techniques.
• Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
• Install, adjust, maintain, and/or repair biomedical equipment.
• Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
• Teach biomedical engineering or disseminate knowledge about field through writing or consulting.

Generalized Work Activities:

• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Interacting With Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Detailed Work Activities:

• advise clients or customers
• advise clients regarding engineering problems
• analyze engineering design problems
• analyze engineering test data
• analyze project proposal to determine feasibility, cost, or time
• analyze scientific research data or investigative findings
• analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
• analyze test data
• calculate engineering specifications
• collect scientific or technical data
• communicate technical information
• compile numerical or statistical data
• confer with engineering, technical or manufacturing personnel
• confer with research personnel
• confer with scientists
• coordinate engineering project activities
• create mathematical or statistical diagrams or charts
• delegate authority for engineering activities
• design electro-mechanical equipment
• design electronic equipment
• design engineered systems
• develop or maintain databases
• develop plans for programs or projects
• develop policies, procedures, methods, or standards
• develop tables depicting data
• direct and coordinate activities of workers or staff
• direct and coordinate scientific research or investigative studies
• draw prototypes, plans, or maps to scale
• estimate time needed for project
• evaluate costs of engineering projects
• evaluate engineering data
• evaluate manufacturing or processing systems
• evaluate product design
• examine engineering documents for completeness or accuracy
• explain complex mathematical information
• inspect facilities or equipment for regulatory compliance
• plan scientific research or investigative studies
• plan testing of engineering methods
• prepare reports
• prepare technical reports or related documentation
• provide analytical assessment of engineering data
• read technical drawings
• recommend materials for products
• resolve engineering or science problems
• test equipment as part of engineering projects or processes
• understand engineering data or reports
• use biological research techniques
• use computer aided drafting or design software for design, drafting, modeling, or other engineering tasks
• use computers to enter, access or retrieve data
• use drafting or mechanical drawing techniques
• use government regulations
• use intuitive judgment for engineering analyses
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use library or online Internet research techniques
• use mathematical or statistical methods to identify or analyze problems
• use project management techniques
• use quantitative research methods
• use relational database software
• use research methodology procedures within manufacturing or commerce
• use scientific research methodology
• use spreadsheet software
• use technical information in manufacturing or industrial activities
• use technical regulations for engineering problems
• use word processing or desktop publishing software
• work as a team member
• write business project or bid proposals
• write product performance requirements

Source: Occupational Information Network: Biomedical Engineers.

Tools and Technology

Biomedical Engineers  View Detailed Report

Tools:

• Electrometers - Biomedical device electrical safety testers, Electrosurgery testing devices, Incubator performance analyzers, Intravenous IV pump analyzers, Non-invasive blood pressure monitor analyzers
• Medical magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanners - 3T scanners, Biomagnetic imaging scanners, Functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI scanners, Magnetic resonance imaging MRI systems, Ultra high speed magnetic resonance imaging MRI scanner machines
• Physiological recorders - Activity monitoring devices, Axial-torsional testing systems, Opto-electronic electrogoniometers, Patient monitoring testing devices, Polygraph recorders
• Pressure indicators - Environmental conditions measurement devices, Footswitch sensors, Force platforms, Grip dynamometers, Insole sensors
• pH electrodes - Electrode bevelers, Electrode pullers, Electroplating apparatus, Microelectrodes

Technology:

• Analytical or scientific software - ANSYS software, BetaPLUS software, Biomechanical modeling software, Calculating optimum maintenance parameters COMPARE software, Calibration software
• Computer aided design CAD software - Cadence Allegro Design Entry software, Cadence Encounter Test, Computer aided design CAD software, Electronic design automation EDA software, Mathsoft Mathcad
• Computer aided manufacturing CAM software - ASCENT ProEngineer Wildfire, Computer aided manufacturing CAM software, Rapid prototyping software
• Development environment software - Advanced computer simulation language ACSL, C, Hardware description language HDL, IBM Rational ClearQuest, National Instruments LabVIEW
• Medical software - Electromyograph analysis software, Gait analysis software, Instrument control software, Instrument validation software, Medical imaging software

Source: Occupational Information Network: Biomedical Engineers.

Education and Training

Occupation: Biomedical Engineers
Most Common Educational/Training Level: Bachelor's degree
Related Instructional Programs: Biomedical/Medical Engineering

WIA Eligible Training Provider List: http://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/ita/presentation/SearchBy.aspx

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections (Education/Training Level, Educational Attainment); National Center for Education Statistics (Typical Instructional Programs)

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