biomedical engineer
Snapshot
Are you fascinated by the intersection of technology and healthcare? As a biomedical engineer, you'll apply engineering principles to solve complex medical challenges, contributing to advancements in treatments, devices, and overall patient care.
Biomedical engineers are at the forefront of innovation in healthcare. Your days might involve designing and testing new medical equipment, developing biocompatible materials for implants, or working on sophisticated imaging techniques. You’ll collaborate with doctors, researchers, and other engineers to translate scientific discoveries into practical solutions that improve lives. The work requires a strong analytical mind, problem-solving skills, and a commitment to ethical considerations within the medical field.
- • Designing and developing medical devices, equipment, and software.
- • Conducting research to improve existing medical technologies and create new ones.
- • Testing and evaluating prototypes to ensure safety, efficacy, and compliance with regulations.
Where this occupation is in demand
Reported labour shortages and surpluses, by year. Published for occupation groups, not for individual job titles.
Deeper colour: reported the same way in more consecutive years.
Figures cover Science and engineering professionals — 274 jobs including this one.
In shortage: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Ireland and 4 more.
Longest-running shortage: Ireland, 4 years.
Select a place on the map to see its figures.
About this source›
Source: ELA/EURES labour shortages and surpluses. Readings are published at occupation-group level, and cover Europe. Editions differ in annex layout and country coverage, so a change between years does not always mean the labour market changed. Countries in grey were not reported, which is not the same as being in balance.
What these words mean
The four things this section reports
- Reported demand
- Whether employers report needing people in this job — a judgement published by a national or EU body, not a count.
- Where it is heading
- Which way employment in this job is expected to move over the coming years, from an official projection.
- Openings
- Roughly how many openings arise — from growth and from people leaving the job.
- Typical pay
- What people in this job typically earn where the source publishes it. Blank does not mean unpaid; it means nobody publishes it for that place.
A measure is left out when nobody publishes it for that place, rather than shown as zero.
Which way the market leans for you
- In your favour
- More openings than people looking — employers are competing for candidates.
- Balanced
- Openings and candidates are roughly matched.
- Competitive
- More people looking than openings — expect to compete.
- Mixed evidence
- Sources disagree, or the same occupation group is short in one part and oversupplied in another.
Every source resolves to one of these four, so there is a single vocabulary to learn. What differs is the evidence behind it, which is printed underneath each verdict — a measured ratio of openings to jobseekers, or an assessment published by a national body.
How this job compares with other jobs in the same country
- Strong
- Among the strongest in that country
- Good
- Stronger than most jobs in that country
- Mixed
- About typical for that country
- Weak
- Weaker than most jobs in that country
This is a rank within one country, not a score you can carry across borders — the registers behind two countries count different people, so the same number means different things in each. It is also why a job can be among the strongest in a country and still show as Competitive: it leads the field in a market that is crowded overall.
Where these come from
Every figure is published by a national statistics office, a public employment service or an EU body, and each card names its source and the period it covers. Some places are counted monthly, others assessed once or twice a year, so two places on the same map can be describing different moments — the date is always shown.
None of this predicts one person's chances. It describes a market.
Explore More
Find your career path and explore the science behind our recommendations.
Could biomedical engineer fit you?
Answer three quick questions. This is not a full assessment — it is a teaser to help you decide whether to compare your profile.
Do you enjoy tasks that require Analytical Thinking?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Integrity?
Do you enjoy tasks that require Attention to Detail?
Future Outlook for biomedical engineer
The outlook for biomedical engineer reflects a balanced mix of automation exposure and durable, human-led work.
How are these scores calculated?
The Resilience Score (0–100) estimates how structurally protected this occupation is from automation and AI disruption, based on task-level analysis. Higher scores mean more human-judgment-intensive tasks. AI Exposure shows the estimated percentage of task hours that current AI capabilities could affect. These are model-derived structural indicators, not predictions about individual job security.
How could biomedical engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How could biomedical engineer change as AI adoption grows?
This role is likely to change gradually, with AI supporting selected tasks rather than replacing the whole occupation.
Illustrative scenario based on task automatability — not a forecast. Values are rounded the further ahead you look.
How AI may change this role
Deterministic, model-based interpretation of current role signals — not a guarantee of replacement.
What still depends on people
- interact professionally in research and professional environments
- think abstractly
- manage personal professional development
Where AI may become a co-pilot
- assess the feasibility of implementing developments
- demonstrate disciplinary expertise
- perform scientific research
Tasks most exposed to automation
- collect biological data
- synthesise information
- execute analytical mathematical calculations
Vital Signs & AI Vectors
AI Exposure Vectors
0-100%Exposure to AI-assisted analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modelling tasks
Exposure to content generation, creative augmentation, and large language model tools
Exposure to workflow automation, decision-support software, and process digitisation
Exposure to physical automation, robotics, and sensor-driven task displacement
Technical Details
NexFuture v3.0 estimates automation exposure natively from ESCO essential-skill groups, weighted by skill mass and calibrated against expert anchors. Scores are probabilistic estimates, not guarantees. See the NexFuture Methodology White Paper for full details.
Measures automation exposure. It does not measure pay, demand, or how many jobs exist near you.
What people in this role usually do
Advanced Manufacturing
A typical day as a biomedical engineer
09 09:00 · Morning assess the feasibility of implementing developments
10 10:30 · Mid-morning operate open source software
12 12:00 · Midday adjust engineering designs
14 14:00 · Afternoon apply scientific methods
15 15:30 · Late afternoon approve engineering design
17 17:00 · Wrap-up collect biological data
Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.
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engineering processes
The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems.
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genetics
The study of heredity, genes and variations in living organisms. Genetic science seeks to understand the process of trait inheritance from parents to offspring and the structure and behaviour of genes in living beings.
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biological chemistry
Biological chemistry is a medical specialty mentioned in the EU Directive 2005/36/EC.
- biology
- biomedical engineering
- engineering principles
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perform scientific research
Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
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apply scientific methods
Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
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collect biological data
Collect biological specimens, record and summarise biological data for use in technical studies, developing environmental management plans and biological products.
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synthesise information
Critically read, interpret, and summarise new and complex information from diverse sources.
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manage research data
Produce and analyse scientific data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of scientific data and be familiar with open data management principles.
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interact professionally in research and professional environments
Show consideration to others as well as collegiality. Listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others, also involving staff supervision and leadership in a professional setting.
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assess the feasibility of implementing developments
Study developments and innovation proposals in order to determine their applicability in the business and their feasibility of implementation from various fronts such as economic impact, business image, and consumer response.
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operate open source software
Operate Open Source software, knowing the main Open Source models, licensing schemes, and the coding practices commonly adopted in the production of Open Source software.
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execute analytical mathematical calculations
Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
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demonstrate disciplinary expertise
Demonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and scientific integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, related to research activities within a specific discipline.
Skill DNA
Work personality traits and values that define this role
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Where does biomedical engineer fit?
Similarity scores based on skill overlap from ESCO data.
Frequently asked questions
- What kind of educational background is needed to become a biomedical engineer?
- A bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering is typically the minimum requirement. Many biomedical engineers pursue advanced degrees (master’s or doctorate) to specialize in a particular area, such as tissue engineering, medical imaging, or biomechanics.
- What are some common industries that employ biomedical engineers?
- You'll find biomedical engineers working in medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, research institutions, and government agencies. Opportunities exist in areas like manufacturing, regulatory affairs, and clinical engineering.
- How important are ethical considerations in this role?
- Ethical considerations are paramount. Biomedical engineers must carefully evaluate the potential impact of their work on patients and ensure that their designs prioritize safety, efficacy, and patient well-being. You’ll often navigate complex regulatory landscapes and adhere to strict ethical guidelines.
- Biomedical Engineer — is there a shortage in Europe?
- Yes. In the 2025 ELA/EURES edition, a shortage was reported in 8 of the 13 European countries that assessed this occupation group: Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Spain and 4 more. Ireland has reported one for 4 consecutive years. These assessments are published per occupation group rather than per job title.
- Biomedical Engineer — what does it pay in the United States?
- $106,950 a year at the median, as of 2025-05. State medians run from $67,850 to $141,230. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is a United States figure and not a projection for Europe.