How much does a bioengineer and biomedical engineer make?
The median bioengineer and biomedical engineer in the United States earns $109,370 per year, about $52.58 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 17-2031.
Bioengineer and biomedical engineer salary range
Pay for bioengineers and biomedical engineers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $71,850 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $168,180. The average (mean) wage of $116,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,850 | $34.55 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $86,980 | $41.82 | |
| Median (50th) | $109,370 | $52.58 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $136,600 | $65.68 | |
| 90th percentile | $168,180 | $80.86 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for bioengineers and biomedical engineers (SOC 17-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Bioengineer and biomedical engineer salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn the most in Arizona at $141,230 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $67,850. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $141,230 | 610 |
| Idaho | $133,750 | N/A |
| California | $128,310 | 2,750 |
| Minnesota | $127,730 | 1,230 |
| Massachusetts | $127,570 | 4,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $122,560 | 950 |
| Oregon | $122,510 | 150 |
| New Jersey | $114,680 | 680 |
| Ohio | $111,550 | 700 |
| Colorado | $110,650 | N/A |
| Wisconsin | $110,430 | 180 |
| Oklahoma | $109,340 | 70 |
| Indiana | $108,030 | 620 |
| Tennessee | $106,470 | 170 |
| Virginia | $106,140 | 330 |
| Maryland | $105,090 | 550 |
| New York | $104,010 | 840 |
| Connecticut | $103,500 | 300 |
| Florida | $101,730 | 900 |
| Michigan | $100,940 | 330 |
| District of Columbia | $100,920 | 80 |
| South Carolina | $99,130 | 70 |
| Georgia | $96,920 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $96,710 | N/A |
| Kentucky | $95,360 | 80 |
| New Hampshire | $94,890 | 80 |
| North Carolina | $94,790 | 920 |
| Texas | $92,600 | 2,050 |
| Utah | $90,870 | 280 |
| Illinois | $89,520 | 280 |
| Missouri | $89,480 | 160 |
| Nevada | $87,850 | 70 |
| Alabama | $85,720 | 30 |
| Louisiana | $84,320 | 30 |
| Nebraska | $83,890 | 80 |
| Iowa | $81,710 | 90 |
| Arkansas | $67,850 | 30 |
State median wages for bioengineers and biomedical engineers (SOC 17-2031), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for bioengineers and biomedical engineers
The BLS projects employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers to grow 7.6% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 23,800 jobs in 2025 moving toward 25,700 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 1,200 openings a year for bioengineers and biomedical engineers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a bioengineer and biomedical engineer
The typical entry-level education for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a bioengineer and biomedical engineer earns
Discipline, licensure (such as a PE license), industry, and region drive pay. Senior, licensed engineers in high demand fields and expensive metros earn near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Arizona, $141,230) and the lowest (Arkansas, $67,850) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 23,480 people work as bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the United States. At $109,370 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Bioengineer and biomedical engineer salary FAQ
How much does a bioengineer and biomedical engineer make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a bioengineer and biomedical engineer is $52.58. The middle half of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn between $41.82 and $65.68 per hour.
What is the highest bioengineer and biomedical engineer salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn more than $168,180 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a bioengineer and biomedical engineer make a year?
The median annual salary for a bioengineer and biomedical engineer is $109,370. The average (mean) wage of $116,890 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a bioengineer and biomedical engineer a well paid job?
At $109,370 a year, a bioengineer and biomedical engineer earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 23,480 people work as bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the United States.
Which state pays bioengineers and biomedical engineers the most?
Arizona has the highest median salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers at $141,230 a year. Idaho ($133,750) and California ($128,310) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a bioengineer and biomedical engineer a good career?
Employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers is projected to grow 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 1,200 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a bioengineer and biomedical engineer?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for bioengineers and biomedical engineers as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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