Also called: Neuroengineer, Brain-Computer Interface Engineer
Builds devices that connect to the nervous system, like brain implants, cochlear implants, and nerve stimulators.
Analyzes brain signals recorded from an implant that lets a paralyzed person move a cursor with their thoughts, tunes algorithms that decode intentions, and designs tiny electrodes. Cutting-edge work at startups and university labs.
Estimate.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Doctorate (PhD), about 9 years after high school. PhD in biomedical, electrical, or neural engineering is typical for research roles.
Ways in: 4-year college, Graduate school. Training cost: $15k – $60k.
Majors to look at: Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Neuroscience, Computer Science.
Growing much faster than average. Emerging field with heavy investment.
Low risk in 5 years, medium in 10. AI is the main tool for decoding brain signals; designing implants and running new experiments stays frontier human research.
Classes: AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Physics.
Official data: O*NET occupation 17-2031.
Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.