Hospital engineer

What does a hospital engineer do? – Tasks and work environment

Hospital engineers work with installing, maintaining, and quality-assuring medical technical equipment in hospitals and healthcare facilities. The profession involves close collaboration with medical staff and technical suppliers to ensure that advanced equipment used in diagnostics, treatment, and monitoring functions reliably and safely. The work environment is often clinical and technically advanced, involving both independent work and teamwork. Many hospital engineers also train healthcare personnel in the use of new technology and monitor developments within the medical technology field.

Salary development over time

The salary development for hospital engineers has shown variations over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 35,500 SEK per month, while in 2023 it decreased to 32 700 SEK, then increased again to 34 000 SEK in 2024. The total change from 2022 to 2024 amounts to a decrease of approximately 4.2 %, but the recent increase indicates a recovery in salary growth. These fluctuations may be due to market changes, varying demand for specialist skills, and shifts in the public sector. The industry is also influenced by rapid technological development, which can lead to salary negotiations and new skill requirements.

Hospital engineer salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 34 000 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 30,000 SEK/month
• Highest salary: 59,300 SEK/month
• Hourly wage (average): 204 SEK
• Women: 33 300 SEK/month (96 % of men's salary)
• Men: 34 600 SEK/month
• Regional differences: Data not available

Education and qualifications

To work as a hospital engineer, a university degree in medical technology, biomedical engineering, or related technical fields is usually required. Many employers also seek experience with medical device equipment and knowledge of electronics and IT. Internships during studies and certifications in specific technical systems can be advantageous and sometimes decisive during recruitment.

• Formal degree: Bachelor or master of engineering (3–5 years), often with a focus on medical technology
• Certifications: Courses in medical technical safety and quality
• Internships: Often mandatory internships within healthcare during studies
• Prerequisites: Basic eligibility for university studies, mathematics, and science subjects
• Tips for choosing: Select programs with close collaboration with healthcare and opportunities for internships

Common benefits and compensations

Hospital engineers are often covered by collective agreements that provide benefits such as occupational pension, extra vacation days, flexible working hours, and wellness allowances. Continuing education on-site and opportunities to attend courses and conferences within medical technology are common. Some employers also offer subsidized healthcare and remote work options for administrative tasks.

Competition and challenges

The job market for hospital engineers is relatively small but specialized, with demand varying depending on technological development and investments in healthcare. Competition for positions can be fierce, especially in metropolitan areas where many qualified candidates seek employment. Challenges include staying updated on new technical solutions and safety requirements, as well as handling urgent technical faults. Since the profession involves both technical and patient-related work, high demands are placed on communication skills and responsibility. Limited data makes it difficult to provide an exact forecast of future recruitment needs, but technological progress suggests continued relevance.

Tips for those who want to become a hospital engineer

To succeed as a hospital engineer, it is beneficial to combine technical curiosity with a desire to contribute to healthcare development. Precision is crucial when quality-assuring equipment, and problem-solving skills facilitate troubleshooting complex systems. Good collaboration skills are necessary because the work involves close dialogue with both healthcare staff and technical suppliers. Being communicative helps when conveying instructions to users with varying technical backgrounds. Finally, flexibility and willingness to learn are advantageous, as technology in healthcare is constantly evolving.

Key facts about Hospital Engineer

• Education level: University or master’s degree in medical technology or related fields
• Work environment: Hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities
• Work mode: Both independent and team-based
• Demand: 564 available jobs in 2024
• Special skills: Medical technology, electronics, and IT

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years in the profession, there are often opportunities to specialize further within specific technical areas, such as imaging diagnostics or advanced radiation equipment. Some hospital engineers move into leadership roles like technical manager or project leader for major upgrades. Opportunities also exist to work in product development with suppliers or pursue academic research through doctoral studies. According to the latest forecast from the Employment Service, there is no specific assessment for this profession, but within the field of medical device technology, many positions are available, indicating stable demand for skills. Technological development and digitalization in healthcare are expected to increase the need for qualified engineers in the future.

Common questions about Hospital Engineer

• What does a hospital engineer earn?
  - A hospital engineer has an average salary of 34 000 SEK per month.
• What are the salary differences between women and men?
  - Women earn an average of 33 300 SEK per month, which is 96 % of men's salary of 34 600 SEK.
• What education is required to become a hospital engineer?
  - Usually, a university engineering or master's degree focusing on medical technology or similar is required.
• What is the job market like for hospital engineers?
  - There are 564 job openings in the field of medical device technology, according to the latest figures.
• What is the highest and lowest salary for a hospital engineer?
  - The highest salary is 59,300 SEK and the lowest is 30,000 SEK per month, depending on education and experience.
• What personal qualities are important in this profession?
  - Accuracy, problem-solving skills, communication skills, and flexibility are key qualities.