1985 survey of salaries & job responsibilities for clinical & biomedical engineers & technicians

The Journal of Clinical Engineering has conducted a broad scope survey of facilities, staffing, wages, benefits, computer equipment, and quality control for Biomedical or Clinical Engineering department in U.S. hospitals. In this two-part, nationwide survey, data were collected from individual on: wages, job responsibilities, certification, union membership, years of employment, and wage increases. The results of the Salary Survey of individuals are presented in this paper. Results of the broader scope Departmental Survey will be presented in a second paper in a subsequent issue of this journal. The present report covers the responses of approximately one thousand individuals and, thus, represents the largest such survey in this field to date. Wages are presented as a function of: hospital bed count, job type, region of country, years of experience, certification, and education. The typical (mean) BMET I has 3.3 years of experience and earns $17,800 +/- $3,900 (Std. Dev.). The typical BMET II has 6.3 years of experience and earns $22,700 +/- $3,900; BMET IIIs have 9.0 years of experience and earn $26,600 +/- $5,100. Clinical or Biomedical Engineers have 10.8 years of experience and earn $30,900 +/- $5,200. Department Heads have 11.8 years of experience and earn $33,500 +/- $7,500. Wages are highest in the West and lowest in the Southeast. From 1984 to 1985, 18 percent of respondents received no raise in pay and 7 percent received pay decreases. Of those receiving positive pay raises, the mean raise was 7.80 percent. Raises were highest in the West. In comparison to medical electronic engineers (IEEE), CEs and BEs earn 34.9 percent less and Department Heads earn 29.4 percent less. The average employee in this field stays with a Hospital for 4.9 years. Certified individuals earn $1,100 to $1,500 more per year.