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Biomedical engineer: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 23, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$109,370median pay per year, or $52.58 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $71,850lowest 10% earn less
  2. $86,98025th percentile
  3. $109,370median
  4. $136,60075th percentile
  5. $168,180top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[4]

The median pay for bioengineers and biomedical engineers was $109,370 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 7.6% from 2025 to 2035[2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+7.6%[2]
Openings per year
1,200[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do biomedical engineers make?

The official BLS category is Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers. In May 2025, the median pay was $109,370 a year, or $52.58 an hour[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average (mean) was $116,890 a year, or $56.20 an hour[7].

Pay varies a lot. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $71,850, and the lowest-paid 25% earned less than $86,980[3]. At the top, the highest-paid 25% earned more than $136,600, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $168,180[3]. In hourly terms, the 10th percentile was $34.55 and the 90th percentile was $80.86[8]. BLS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary[9].

For comparison, the median for all occupations in the US was $50,980[4].

Measure Annual wage Source
10th percentile[3] $71,850
Median[1] $109,370
90th percentile[3] $168,180

These figures cover wage and salary workers, part time and full time. They leave out the self-employed and do not include bonuses that are not tied to production or the cost of benefits such as health insurance[10].

Pay by state and city

Among the 36 states and DC with published data, Arizona had the highest median at $141,230, followed by Idaho at $133,750 and California at $128,310[11]. Minnesota ($127,730) and Massachusetts ($127,570) came next[11]. Arkansas had the lowest published median, at $67,850[11].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ was first at $141,230, then San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA at $140,660 and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA at $136,450[12].

The jobs are not spread evenly. Massachusetts had the most, at 4,740, then California (2,750), Texas (2,050), Minnesota (1,230) and Pennsylvania (950)[13]. The Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area had 4,040 jobs and a median of $128,550[14].

Show median pay in 36 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Arizona[11]$141,230610
Idaho$133,750n/a
California$128,3102,750
Minnesota$127,7301,230
Massachusetts$127,5704,740
Pennsylvania$122,560950
Oregon$122,510150
New Jersey$114,680680
Ohio$111,550700
Colorado$110,650n/a
Wisconsin$110,430180
Oklahoma$109,34070
Indiana$108,030620
Tennessee$106,470170
Virginia$106,140330
Maryland$105,090550
New York$104,010840
Connecticut$103,500300
Florida$101,730900
Michigan$100,940330
District of Columbia$100,92080
South Carolina$99,13070
Georgia$96,920n/a
Mississippi$96,710n/a
Kentucky$95,36080
New Hampshire$94,89080
North Carolina$94,790920
Texas$92,6002,050
Utah$90,870280
Illinois$89,520280
Missouri$89,480160
Nevada$87,85070
Alabama$85,72030
Louisiana$84,32030
Nebraska$83,89080
Iowa$81,71090
Arkansas$67,85030

How to become a biomedical engineer

BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience and no on-the-job training needed[6]. The steps look like this.

1) In high school, take science classes such as chemistry, physics and biology, plus math through calculus[15]. Drafting and computer programming classes also help if your school offers them[15]. 2) Earn a bachelor's degree in an engineering field such as bioengineering or biomedical engineering[16][17]. Students in other engineering fields, such as mechanical or electrical, may benefit from biological science courses[17]. 3) Use any chance for co-ops or internships[18]. Programs may offer them with hospitals and with medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers[18]. 4) Consider a graduate degree[16]. Some positions require one, and leading a research team typically calls for one[16][19].

Degree programs focus on engineering and biological sciences, with courses that include biomaterials, circuit design, and fluid and solid mechanics[20].

In an O*NET survey of 23 workers, 43% said a bachelor's degree was the level required, 26% said a master's degree, 13% said a doctoral degree and 13% said post-doctoral training[21]. That is a small survey, so read it as a rough guide only.

Some people later go to medical or dental school, earn a law degree and work as patent attorneys, or earn an MBA and move into management[22].

What biomedical engineers do

O*NET describes the work as applying engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science and biomechanics to design and evaluate health products and systems, such as artificial organs and prostheses[23]. Common tasks include:

BLS names analytical, communication, creativity, math and problem-solving skills as important[25][26][27][28][29].

Where they work

Biomedical engineers are part of teams that can include scientists, healthcare workers or other engineers[30]. Where they work depends on the project. An engineer with a new device might spend hours in a hospital to check that it works as planned[30].

The largest employing industry in 2025 was research and development in physical, engineering and life sciences, with 22% of these workers[31]. Full-time work is the norm, and some people work more than 40 hours a week[32].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers to grow 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 23,800 to 25,700 jobs, a gain of about 1,800[2]. For all occupations, projected growth is 3.5%[33]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

BLS expects about 1,200 openings a year on average[5]. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[5]. Each year, 1.4% of workers leave the labor force and 2.7% move to a different occupation[34].

Is it a good fit?

The facts point to a job that pays well above the all-occupation median and typically needs a bachelor's degree but no related experience[1][4][6]. Some positions and research leadership roles call for a graduate degree, which adds training[16][19]. The field is small, with about 23,480 wage and salary jobs, and Massachusetts alone had 4,740 of them[35][13]. Projected growth is 7.6%, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][33]. Pay also differs a good deal by state, so check local figures before comparing offers[11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[36].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a biomedical engineer make an hour?
The median was $52.58 an hour in May 2025[1]. The 10th percentile was $34.55 and the 90th percentile was $80.86[8].
What degree do you need to be a biomedical engineer?
A bachelor's degree in an engineering field such as bioengineering or biomedical engineering is typical. Some positions require a graduate degree[6][16].
Is biomedical engineering in demand?
BLS projects 7.6% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 1,200 openings a year[2][33][5].
What is the highest paying state for biomedical engineers?
Arizona, with a median of $141,230 in May 2025, followed by Idaho at $133,750 and California at $128,310[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in the US was $109,370 per year and $52.58 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is projected to grow 7.6% from 2025 to 2035, from about 23,800 to 25,700 jobs (a change of +1,800). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: 10th percentile $71,850, 25th percentile $86,980, 75th percentile $136,600, 90th percentile $168,180. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 1,200 openings for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers was $116,890 per year and $56.20 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: 10th percentile $34.55, 25th percentile $41.82, 75th percentile $65.68, 90th percentile $80.86. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (areas with at least 100 jobs): Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $141,230; San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $140,660; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $136,450; Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN $131,170; Boulder, CO $129,030; Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $128,550; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $128,300; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $128,270. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers jobs: Massachusetts 4,740; California 2,750; Texas 2,050; Minnesota 1,230; Pennsylvania 950. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers jobs: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 4,040 (median $128,550); Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 1,070 (median $127,890); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 980 (median $110,830); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 910 (median $128,240); Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA 810; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 740 (median $99,070). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. O*NET 17-2031.00 survey of workers (23 respondents), education level they say is required: Bachelor's Degree 43%, Master's Degree 26%, Doctoral Degree 13%, Post-Doctoral Training 13% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Advancement. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. O*NET description of Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  24. O*NET task list for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers. O*NET OnLine
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of bioengineers and biomedical engineers in 2025: Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences 22%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  33. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  34. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: 1.4% of workers leave the labor force each year and 2.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  35. BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 23,480 people were employed as Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  36. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.