Biomedical Engineering: The Truth About Underpaid Engineers

[budala]

why Biomedical engineers are underpaid (the lowest) comparing to
the other engs like; EE, CE, ME?

also, why are biomed engs "thrown" generally speaking with a lower level
personnel like; biomed techs and/or technologists , although
they graduated from an engineering programs like any other programs; EE, CE, etc?

*****biomeds are considered "lower level" engs?

 

[Choppy]

You'll have to show us some stats on this. I wasn't under the impression that BME's were underpaid vs. their counterparts in other disciplines, or that they were considered to be at a somewhat lower level. (And anyone who holds such a view obviously hasn't taken any BME imaging courses.)

Also, there's a distinct difference between a technician/technologist and an engineer.

 

[cmos]

According to US News, Biomedical Engineering is the fastest growing of the engineering disciplines. I don't think this would be true if biomed types were "underpaid."

 

[budala]

i am in EE and i work with biomed techs and engs during summer.
i did take biomed courses,
i know there is a distinct difference between techs and engs,
i know it's fast growing discipline,
i did see paychecks of techs and biomed engs, and i did see paychecks
of EEs and some of biomed engs are very pissed off, sorry to say it
but we talk about it ll the time,

***** i am in a very difficult situation; shoukd i choose Biomedical engineering or?

 

[Topher925]

In order to become a well paid BE, I think you really need to have the education and experience. PhD along with some post doc experience. Just a BS or MS isn't going to get you that far.

 

[Choppy]

Looking at a few paychecks amounts to anecdotal evidence. However, here are some hard facts:

From salary.com
Median salaries (USD 25th 50th 75th percentile)
level 1 biomedical engineer : $41,898 $48,461 $53,309
level 1 electrical engineer : $52,011 $56,831 $61,890
level 1 chemical engineer : $53,165 $58,670 $63,347
level 1 mechanical engineer: $52,583 $57,844 $62,537

So, yes, it seems that BMEs can expect to make significantly less money on entry into their field. The question then, is whether or not you will be happy working in this field. Is getting an extra $10k a year worth working in a field you don't enjoy?

 

[Dale]

why Biomedical engineers are underpaid (the lowest) comparing to
the other engs like; EE, CE, ME?

also, why are biomed engs "thrown" generally speaking with a lower level
personnel like; biomed techs and/or technologists , although
they graduated from an engineering programs like any other programs; EE, CE, etc?

*****biomeds are considered "lower level" engs?

BME is still a very graduate-heavy dicipline. So if you want to do anything reasonable you should expect to need a MS or PhD. If you only want to get a BS, then I would recommend against BME. Instead, go for a more traditional engineering major and take physiology- and medicine-related electives.

IMO, the reason for the income disparity is simply that a BME is more narrowly qualified in the job marked. For example, a medical device manufacturer could hire a EE or a BME, but an electronics manufacturer would only hire the EE. So the medical device manufacturer and the electronics manufacturer are competing for the EE but not for the BME.

 

[cmos]

According to US News, Biomedical Engineering is the fastest growing of the engineering disciplines. I don't think this would be true if biomed types were "underpaid."

Now that I think about it, I think I read this while looking at their annual graduate school rankings. This seems to back up what some people have been saying about almost being necessary to go on to grad school if you want to do biomed.