What Is the Median Annual Salary for Biomedical Engineers?
Biomedical engineers earn a median annual salary of $109,370 according to May 2025 BLS data, with a wide distribution from $71,860 at the 10th percentile to $165,160 at the 90th.
The annual salary for biomedical engineer positions has risen steadily in recent years. The May 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics release reported a median of $106,950, while the updated May 2025 figure climbed to $109,370, equivalent to roughly $52.58 per hour. [Source: BLS]
That headline number only tells part of the story. The wage distribution for biomedical engineers (occupation code 17-2031) spans a significant range:
| Percentile | Annual Wage (May 2024 BLS) |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $71,860 |
| 25th percentile | ~$81,370* |
| Median (50th) | $106,950 |
| 75th percentile | ~$125,780* |
| 90th percentile | $165,160 |
*25th and 75th percentile figures from the May 2023 BLS release; the May 2024 release confirmed the 10th, median, and 90th values shown. [Source: University of Iowa citing BLS]
Third-party salary aggregators report lower averages because they use different methodologies. ZipRecruiter reports an average of $94,807, Indeed lists $93,003, and Salary.com reports approximately $78,617. [Source: Path.study] These discrepancies arise from self-reported data, different job title classifications, and geographic weighting. For benchmarking purposes, BLS data remains the most reliable federal source.
How Does Biomedical Engineer Salary Compare to Other Engineering Fields?
Biomedical engineers earn competitively among engineering disciplines, with a $109,370 median that sits above mechanical engineering but below electrical engineering and well above the $49,500 median for all U.S. occupations.
A common concern among students considering biomedical engineering is that salaries lag behind other engineering fields. The data tells a more nuanced story:
| Engineering Field | Median Annual Salary | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical engineering | $111,860 | Kore1 citing BLS |
| Biomedical engineering | $109,370 | BLS May 2025 |
| Mechanical engineering | $99,510 | Kore1 citing BLS |
| All U.S. occupations | ~$49,500 | University of Iowa citing BLS |
[Source: BLS] [Source: University of Iowa] [Source: Kore1]
Biomedical engineering’s $109,370 median is more than double the median for all U.S. occupations. While petroleum, computer hardware, and aerospace engineers often earn higher medians, biomedical engineers outpace civil and mechanical engineers. Marshall University notes that some clinical and medical device engineer roles can reach average compensation of $150,000, though that figure reflects a narrower subset of specialized positions. [Source: Marshall University]
McKissock reports an overall average biomedical engineering salary of $88,397, with experience-based averages rising from $66,917 at entry level to $97,390 for engineers with more than 10 years of experience. [Source: McKissock]
The takeaway: biomedical engineering is firmly a mid-to-upper-tier engineering field by compensation, not the laggard it’s sometimes perceived to be. For comparison, you can also review biostatistician salaries to see how another health-adjacent analytical field stacks up.
What Salary Can Entry-Level Biomedical Engineers Expect?
Entry-level biomedical engineers typically earn $68,000 to $74,000 annually, with the BLS 10th percentile at $71,860 and significant variation by employer type and location.
The gap between entry-level pay and the occupation’s median is one of the biggest sources of frustration for new graduates. Several data points help frame realistic expectations:
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BLS 10th percentile: $71,860 annually, a common proxy for entry-level compensation [Source: University of Iowa citing BLS]
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Path.study estimate: $68,800 national entry-level average, with the middle 50% ranging from $49,200 to $79,400 [Source: Path.study]
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Salary.com estimate: $73,908 entry-level average, with a typical range of $64,253 to $81,314 [Source: Salary.com]
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PayScale estimate: $70,199 average total compensation for engineers with less than one year of experience [Source: PayScale]
Location dramatically shifts entry-level pay. One source reports entry-level biomedical engineers in California earning a range of $79,040 to $150,000, while national entry-level estimates cluster much lower. [Source: Levels.fyi]
Even the conservative $68,000 to $74,000 starting range significantly exceeds the national median for all occupations. The real question is how quickly you can move beyond that starting band, which depends on employer type, geographic market, and how effectively you position your skills during the job search. For perspective on how other fields compare at the entry level, see our carpentry income data.
How Does Biomedical Engineer Salary Grow with Experience?
Biomedical engineer salaries grow from roughly $70,000 at entry level to $88,000 to $116,000 in mid-career and can exceed $140,000 in senior or principal roles, based on PayScale and salary guide data.
| Experience Level | Annual Pay / Total Compensation | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $70,199 | PayScale |
| 1–4 years | $81,061 | PayScale |
| 5–9 years | $88,738 | McKissock |
| 10+ years | $97,390+ | McKissock |
| Experienced / senior | $116,854 | PayScale |
| National median (all experience) | $109,370 | BLS May 2025 |
Early Career (0–4 Years)
PayScale reports average total compensation of $70,199 for biomedical engineers with less than one year of experience, rising to $81,061 at one to four years. That’s approximately a 15.5% increase in the first few years. [Source: PayScale]
Early-career growth is noticeable but not explosive. Engineers who gain hands-on experience with FDA regulatory processes, CAD design tools, or clinical trial protocols tend to advance faster. McKissock reports an entry-level average of $66,917, reinforcing that the $66,000 to $81,000 range captures most early-career biomedical engineers. [Source: McKissock]
Mid-Career (5–10 Years)
At five to nine years of experience, compensation averages around $88,738 according to McKissock’s data. [Source: McKissock] Engineers who have moved into specialized roles in medical device design, biomaterials, or regulatory affairs often surpass this average. The BLS median of $109,370 likely reflects a mix of mid-career and senior professionals, suggesting that many engineers in this experience band earn $90,000 to $115,000 depending on industry and location. [Source: BLS]
Senior Level (15+ Years)
Senior and principal biomedical engineers can earn $116,854 or more in average total compensation, with some salary guides estimating $140,000 to $235,000+ for leadership, regulatory-heavy, or highly specialized roles. [Source: PayScale] [Source: Kore1] The BLS 90th percentile of $165,160 confirms that top earners in this field reach well into six figures. [Source: University of Iowa citing BLS]
McKissock’s data shows engineers with 10+ years averaging $97,390, though this figure likely reflects a broad mix of roles and doesn’t capture the upper end of senior compensation. [Source: McKissock]
Which States Pay Biomedical Engineers the Highest Salaries?
New Mexico leads biomedical engineer salaries at $139,460 annual mean wage per BLS data, followed by Arizona, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, though cost-of-living differences affect real purchasing power.
Geographic location is one of the strongest salary drivers in biomedical engineering. BLS data and university summaries identify these top-paying states:
| State | Annual Mean Wage | Source |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $139,460 | BLS |
| Arizona | $120,970 | UCR citing BLS |
| Minnesota | $119,250 | UCR citing BLS |
| California | $118,090 | BLS |
| Connecticut | $116,430 | UCR citing BLS |
| New York | $116,010 | BLS |
| Massachusetts | $115,670 | UCR citing BLS |
[Source: BLS] [Source: UC Riverside citing BLS] [Source: Salary.com]
New Mexico’s top ranking may surprise many engineers, but it reflects the concentration of national laboratories and specialized research facilities in the state. California and Massachusetts, while offering high nominal salaries, also carry significantly higher costs of living. An engineer earning $118,090 in California may have less disposable income than one earning $119,250 in Minnesota, where housing costs are considerably lower.
When evaluating job offers across states, factor in state income tax rates, housing costs, and the specific metro area. A well-prepared salary negotiation strategy should account for these regional differences rather than focusing on the headline number alone.
How Does Industry Affect Biomedical Engineer Compensation?
Industry sector creates meaningful salary differences, with instruments manufacturing paying a median of $108,690 and R&D in physical and life sciences paying $98,610, based on BLS-sourced data.
The University of California, Riverside compiled BLS industry breakdowns showing clear compensation tiers. [Source: UC Riverside]
Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing
Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing represents the highest-paying industry segment at $108,690 median. This sector includes major medical device companies that design and manufacture diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, and implantable devices. Engineers in this space typically work on product development, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Pharmaceutical and Medicine Manufacturing
Pharmaceutical manufacturing positions tend to pay premiums over the overall occupation median. Industry practitioners typically report that drug delivery system design, bioprocess engineering, and manufacturing optimization roles command compensation above the $109,370 median, particularly at large pharmaceutical firms with global operations.
Research and Development
R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences pays a median of $98,610 for biomedical engineers. [Source: UC Riverside citing BLS] While this sits below the overall occupation median, R&D roles often offer other advantages: access to advanced technology, publication opportunities, and pathways to senior technical leadership.
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Hospital-based biomedical engineers, often called clinical engineers, generally earn below the occupation median. These roles focus on equipment maintenance, safety compliance, and technology management rather than product development. Industry practitioners typically report hospital salaries in the $80,000 to $95,000 range, though benefits packages at large health systems can partially offset the lower base pay.
Do Biomedical Engineering Specializations Affect Salary?
Specialization creates notable salary variation within biomedical engineering, though BLS does not track specialty-specific data. Industry salary guides suggest biomaterials and tissue engineering specialists earn premiums, while rehabilitation engineering roles tend to pay below median.
BLS groups all biomedical engineers under a single occupation code (17-2031), making it difficult to isolate salary differences by specialization with federal data alone. However, industry patterns are well-documented by practitioners and recruiters:
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Biomaterials and tissue engineering: High demand from regenerative medicine companies and orthopedic device manufacturers tends to push salaries above the occupation median.
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Medical device design: Engineers with CAD proficiency and FDA 510(k) submission experience are particularly sought after by device companies paying at or above median.
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Rehabilitation engineering: Roles focused on assistive technology and prosthetics design, while impactful, tend to be funded by smaller organizations or academic institutions with tighter salary budgets.
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Bioinformatics and computational biology: Engineers who bridge biomedical engineering and data science increasingly command premium compensation as healthcare analytics grows.
Marshall University notes that some clinical and medical device engineer roles can reach average compensation of $150,000, highlighting how specialization within the field creates significant earning variation. [Source: Marshall University]
What Is the Salary Outlook for Biomedical Engineers?
BLS projects continued employment growth for biomedical engineers, driven by aging populations, medical device innovation, and expanding applications of bioengineering in healthcare.
The combination of steady employment growth and rising median wages suggests continued upward pressure on biomedical engineering salaries. The field’s median wage increased from $100,730 (May 2023 BLS) to $106,950 (May 2024) to $109,370 (May 2025), a trajectory of roughly 4% annual growth. [Source: BLS] [Source: BLS OEWS]
Several factors support continued salary growth: an aging U.S. population requiring more medical devices and treatments, increasing regulatory complexity that demands specialized engineering talent, and the convergence of AI with biomedical applications creating new high-value roles. For engineers entering the field now, the biomedical engineering salary growth trajectory looks favorable over a full career span.
How Do Advanced Degrees Impact Biomedical Engineer Salaries?
Advanced degrees correlate with higher earnings, particularly for research and leadership roles, though industry positions at medical device companies do not always require graduate education for top-tier pay.
Industry practitioners typically report that a master’s degree adds 10% to 20% to base compensation, while PhDs open doors to principal scientist and research director roles that can reach $130,000 to $160,000 or more. However, the return on investment depends heavily on career path:
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Medical device industry: A bachelor’s degree combined with strong hands-on experience and regulatory knowledge can lead to $110,000+ salaries without graduate school.
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Academic and government research: A PhD is typically required for principal investigator roles, and these positions often pay less than equivalent industry roles despite the additional education.
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Pharmaceutical companies: Advanced degrees are valued for R&D leadership, and the salary premium tends to be more consistent in this sector.
When deciding whether to pursue graduate education, consider the opportunity cost of two to six years of foregone salary against the expected salary premium. For many biomedical engineers, gaining industry experience first and then pursuing a targeted master’s degree yields the best financial outcome.
What Additional Compensation Do Biomedical Engineers Receive Beyond Base Salary?
Biomedical engineers typically receive total compensation packages that exceed base salary by 10% to 20%, including bonuses, profit sharing, stock options at device startups, and benefits valued at $15,000 to $25,000 annually.
PayScale’s total compensation figures consistently run higher than base salary alone. For example, the $70,199 entry-level figure and $116,854 experienced figure from PayScale both represent total compensation rather than base pay. [Source: PayScale]
Common components of biomedical engineer compensation packages include:
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Annual bonuses: Industry practitioners typically report $5,000 to $15,000 at mid-career, with larger bonuses at senior levels.
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Stock options or RSUs: Common at publicly traded device companies and biotech startups, these can add significant value over time.
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Retirement contributions: 401(k) matching of 3% to 6% of salary is standard at most employers.
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Healthcare benefits: Employer-subsidized health insurance, often valued at $8,000 to $15,000 annually for family coverage.
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Continuing education: Many employers fund professional development, conference attendance, and tuition reimbursement for advanced degrees.
When comparing offers, calculate total compensation rather than fixating on base salary alone. A position with a slightly lower base but strong equity, bonus structure, and benefits can be worth significantly more over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is biomedical engineering a well-paying career?
Yes. The BLS reports a median annual wage of $109,370 for biomedical engineers, more than double the approximately $49,500 median for all U.S. occupations. [Source: BLS] [Source: University of Iowa]
What is the starting salary for a biomedical engineer with a bachelor’s degree?
Entry-level biomedical engineers typically earn $68,000 to $74,000 annually, with Salary.com reporting an entry-level average of $73,908 and Path.study reporting $68,800. [Source: Salary.com] [Source: Path.study] Location and employer type can push this range higher, especially in California and the Northeast.
Which state pays biomedical engineers the most?
New Mexico leads with an annual mean wage of $139,460 per BLS data, followed by Arizona ($120,970) and Minnesota ($119,250) based on BLS figures compiled by UC Riverside. [Source: BLS] [Source: UC Riverside]
Do biomedical engineers earn more in medical device companies or hospitals?
Medical device and instruments manufacturing pays a median of $108,690, while hospital-based roles generally pay below the occupation median. Industry practitioners typically report hospital biomedical engineer salaries in the $80,000 to $95,000 range. [Source: UC Riverside citing BLS]
How much can a senior biomedical engineer earn?
The BLS 90th percentile for biomedical engineers is $165,160 annually. Some salary guides estimate senior and principal roles at $140,000 to $235,000+, particularly in regulatory-heavy or leadership positions. [Source: University of Iowa citing BLS] [Source: Kore1]
Is a master’s degree worth it for biomedical engineering salary growth?
Industry practitioners typically report that a master’s degree adds 10% to 20% to base compensation. However, engineers in the medical device industry can reach $110,000+ with a bachelor’s degree and strong hands-on experience. The return depends on whether you’re pursuing research roles (where advanced degrees are often required) or industry positions.
How does biomedical engineering salary compare to mechanical engineering?
Biomedical engineers earn a higher median ($109,370) than mechanical engineers ($99,510), based on BLS data compiled by Kore1. [Source: BLS] [Source: Kore1]
What is the job outlook for biomedical engineers?
BLS projects employment growth for biomedical engineers, supported by aging demographics, medical device innovation, and expanding bioengineering applications in healthcare. The median wage has grown approximately 4% annually in recent BLS releases. [Source: BLS]
