Austin Medical Jobs In The Medical Tech Industry Growing

The medical device industry is continuing to grow, and is creating a great option for workers who want Austin medical jobs, but don't want to deal with patients directly.

The Austin area has not always been a force in the medical technology industry, but that seems to be changing, as more money, more companies and more expansions are making their way throughout the city.

According to the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, at least 24 medical technology companies have operations in Central Texas, where Austin is located.

Many of those companies do engineering and manufacturing work in the area, which have continued to create high-quality and high-paying jobs, while many other industries have been forced to reduce their workforce.

For instance, a study from AngelouEconomics found that employment in Central Texas's semiconductor industry peaked during the late 1990s with about 25,000 jobs, and has sine decreased to about half of that. At the same time, employment in the medical technology industry has increased by 8 percent, to 5,215 workers, during the last three years.

Some of the factors contributing to the medical technology industry's growth in the area, according to the Austin American-Statesman, include:
- An aging population and a growing international market for replacement knees and shoulders, heart valves, and surgical tools are causing an increased demand for workers.

- Austin is now home to three venture capital firms that are focused on medical technology investments, including Santé Ventures, Emergent Technologies Inc. and PTV Sciences. In addition, the Texas Emerging Technology Fund is seeding a number of new medical device and healthcare-related startups.

- Hanger Orthopedics Group Inc. is moving its headquarters from Maryland to Austin. More than half of the company's 133 available jobs will be filled by local workers and will offer an average salary of $65,290. Michigan-based Pioneer Surgical Technology Inc. also plans to open a 30-person marketing and product development office in Austin this year.

- St. Jude Medical Inc. plans to move to a new office in Southwest Austin and expand its training programs. The company has grown from six employees in 2005 to 160 employees today. Healthtronics Inc. also recently opened a manufacturing facility in the city, creating 45 jobs in manufacturing, engineering and customer service. The company currently has 620 full-time employees.

By: Jen Carpenter

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To learn more about Austin medical jobs, visit austin.jobing.com/jobs/healthcare.