The median pay for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is $109,370 a year ($52.58/hr), according to BLS OEWS, May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 7.6% through 2035, with about 1,200 openings a year (BLS EP, 2025–2035). Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.
- SOC 17-2031
- Architecture and Engineering
- Last updated October 9, 2026
At a glance
Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer in four numbers
- Median pay
- $109,370a year, or $52.58/hrBLS OEWS, May 2025Lowest 10% $72KTop 10% $168K
US median, all jobs: $50,980
- Projected growth
- +7.6%Much faster than averageBLS EP, 2025–2035This career+7.6%All jobs+3.5%
Projected employment change, 2025–2035 Item Value This career +7.6% All jobs +3.5% - Openings a year
- 1,20023,800 jobs todayBLS EP, 2025–2035
- Jobs in 202523.8K
- Projected 203525.7K
Employment, 2025–2035 Item Value Jobs in 2025 23.8K Projected 2035 25.7K - Typical education
- Bachelor'sneeded to enterBLS EP, 2025–2035; mix: O*NET
- Associate's4.4%
- Bachelor's43.5%
- Master's26.1%
- Doctorate13%
- Post-doctoral training13%
Highest education held by bioengineers and biomedical engineers Segment Value Associate's 4.4% Bachelor's 43.5% Master's 26.1% Doctorate 13% Post-doctoral training 13%
Also advertised as: Biomedical Engineer, Biomedical Technician (Biomedical Tech), Engineer, Process Engineer, Research Engineer.
Pay
How much do Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers make?
Every bioengineer and biomedical engineer in the US, by percentile of annual wage
Median
$109,370
Middle half earn $86,980 to $136,600
- 10th
- $71,850
- 25th
- $86,980
- 75th
- $136,600
- 90th
- $168,180
All US occupations: $50,980
| Percentile | Value |
|---|---|
| 10th | $71,850 |
| 25th | $86,980 |
| Median | $109,370 |
| 75th | $136,600 |
| 90th | $168,180 |
| All US occupations | $50,980 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Median annual wage
- $109,370
- Median hourly wage
- $52.58/hr
- Mean annual wage
- $116,890
- People employed
- 23,480
Versus all US occupations
At $109,370, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers earn 115% above the $50,980 median across all US occupations, a difference of $58,390 a year.
Versus architecture and engineering occupations
Inside the Architecture and Engineering group, where the middle occupation pays $104,110, this is 5% above the group median.
Pay range
The top 10% earn $168,180 or more while the bottom 10% earn $71,850, a gap of 2.3×. That is a typical spread for a US occupation.
Rank in the bank
This median pays more than 81% of the 1,741 occupations in the NueCareer career bank.
Highest-paying state
Arizona pays the most at $141,230, and still leads at $140,280 once local prices are taken into account.
Pay by state
Which states pay Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers the most?
State medians come from the same OEWS release as the national figures. The cost-of-living column divides each state median by that state's BEA Regional Price Parity, restating pay in national-average dollars so a high-cost state and a low-cost one can be compared directly.
| State | Median | COL-adjusted | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Arizona | $141,230 | $140,280 | 610 |
| 2Idaho | $133,750 | $140,061 | N/A |
| 3California | $128,310 | $115,887 | 2,750 |
| 4Minnesota | $127,730 | $129,516 | 1,230 |
| 5Massachusetts | $127,570 | $120,626 | 4,740 |
| 6Pennsylvania | $122,560 | $125,610 | 950 |
| 7Oregon | $122,510 | $118,526 | 150 |
| 8New Jersey | $114,680 | $105,400 | 680 |
| 9Ohio | $111,550 | $120,238 | 700 |
| 10Colorado | $110,650 | $107,373 | N/A |
Job outlook
Is Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer a growing career?
Employment change over 2025–2035, against every US occupation
Much faster than average. +7.6% projected growth vs 3.5% for all occupations.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | +7.6% |
| All US occupations | +3.5% |
Source: BLS EP, 2025–2035
Much faster than average
BLS projects employment of Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers to change 7.6% over 2025–2035, roughly 2.2× the 3.5% projected for all occupations. That is 1,800 more jobs.
Annual openings
About 1,200 openings are projected each year, 5.0% of the 23,800 jobs that existed in 2025. Most come from workers leaving the occupation, not from growth alone.
Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers are expected to see employment growth as demand for biomedical devices and procedures, such as hip and knee replacements, continues to increase. In addition, with continued public awareness of medical advances, increasing numbers of people will likely seek biomedical solutions to their health problems.
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers are expected to continue to collaborate with scientists, other medical researchers, and manufacturers to address a range of injuries and physical disabilities. Their work in healthcare, manufacturing, agriculture, and other fields is expanding the possibilities for biomedical engineering products and services.
Getting in
How to become a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically need a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or a related engineering field. Some positions require a graduate degree.
- 1
Typical entry-level education
Bachelor's degree
- 2
Work experience in a related occupation
None
- 3
Typical on-the-job training
None
- 4
Preparation needed (O*NET job zone)
Medium preparation
BLS Employment Projections, 2025–2035; job zone from O*NET 31.0 Database.
What education people in the job have
O*NET incumbent survey: the highest level of education reported by people already working as bioengineers and biomedical engineers.
- Bachelor's Degree43.5%
- Master's Degree26.1%
- Doctoral Degree13%
- Post-Doctoral Training13%
- Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree4.4%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | 43.5% |
| Master's Degree | 26.1% |
| Doctoral Degree | 13% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 13% |
| Associate's Degree or other 2-year degree | 4.4% |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
The work
What does a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer do?
Apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such as artificial organs, prostheses, instrumentation, medical information systems, and health management and care delivery systems.
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software.
Day-to-day tasks
- Prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications.
- Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
- Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
- Maintain databases of experiment characteristics or results.
- Develop statistical models or simulations, using statistical or modeling software.
- Read current scientific or trade literature to stay abreast of scientific, industrial, or technological advances.
- Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
- Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating or using budgets, or overseeing contract obligations or deadlines.
O*NET core tasks, ordered by reported importance.
Working conditions and hours
Most bioengineers and biomedical engineers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.
Where the work happens
Indoors, climate-controlled
NeverEvery dayIndoors, in a climate-controlled space, every day.
Outdoors in all weather
NeverEvery dayAlmost never works outdoors.
Physical demands
Sitting
NeverAlmost all the timeSeated for more than half the working day.
Standing
NeverAlmost all the timeBending or twisting
NeverAlmost all the time
Working with people
Contact with other people
NoneConstantFace-to-face discussions
NeverEvery dayDealing with the public
Not importantExtremely important
Pressure and stakes
Strict deadlines
NeverEvery dayConflict situations
NeverEvery dayCost of a mistake
Not seriousExtremely serious
Autonomy
Freedom to decide
NoneA lotA lot of freedom to make decisions without checking first.
Schedules: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition. Conditions: O*NET Work Context survey. Each item has its own scale, so each dot is read against the two answers that end its own line.
Where bioengineers and biomedical engineers work
Share of jobs by employer type
- Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences22%
- Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing10%
- Healthcare and social assistance10%
- Educational services; state, local, and private9%
- Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing8%
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences | 22% |
| Medical equipment and supplies manufacturing | 10% |
| Healthcare and social assistance | 10% |
| Educational services; state, local, and private | 9% |
| Navigational, measuring, electromedical, and control instruments manufacturing | 8% |
Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2025–2035 edition
Core skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Reading Comprehension4.0
- Active Listening4.0
- Writing4.0
- Speaking4.0
- Mathematics3.9
- Science3.9
- Critical Thinking3.9
- Active Learning3.8
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 4.0 |
| Active Listening | 4.0 |
| Writing | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | 3.9 |
| Science | 3.9 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.9 |
| Active Learning | 3.8 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Transferable skills
O*NET importance, 1 to 5
- Complex Problem Solving3.9
- Judgment and Decision Making3.9
- Operations Analysis3.8
- Systems Analysis3.6
- Systems Evaluation3.5
- Technology Design3.4
- Instructing3.1
- Programming3.1
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.9 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 3.9 |
| Operations Analysis | 3.8 |
| Systems Analysis | 3.6 |
| Systems Evaluation | 3.5 |
| Technology Design | 3.4 |
| Instructing | 3.1 |
| Programming | 3.1 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
Tools and software
- Analytical or scientific software · in demand
- Cloud-based management software · in demand
- Computer aided design CAD software · in demand
- Data base user interface and query software · in demand
- Development environment software · in demand
- Electronic mail software · in demand
- Enterprise application integration software · in demand
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software · in demand
- Graphics or photo imaging software · in demand
- Object or component oriented development software · in demand
- Office suite software · in demand
- Operating system software · in demand
“In demand” marks an O*NET Employer-Based Hot Technology, software named in real job postings for this occupation.
Personality fit
What personality type suits a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer?
O*NET Occupational Interests (RIASEC), scored 1 to 7
| Axis | Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer |
|---|---|
| Realistic | 5 |
| Investigative | 7 |
| Artistic | 2 |
| Social | 2 |
| Enterprising | 2 |
| Conventional | 4 |
Source: O*NET 31.0 Database
What the work is built around
Day to day this is work built around investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data, combined with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors.
- Investigative6.8
- Realistic5.4
- Conventional4.5
- Social2.5
- Artistic2.1
- Enterprising1.8
Closest MBTI types
NueCareer fit scores: cosine similarity between each MBTI type's interest vector and this occupation's O*NET interest profile. Not a BLS or O*NET figure; the method is documented on our methodology page.
Explore further
Careers related to Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer
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More architecture and engineering careers
Median annual pay, with bioengineers and biomedical engineers highlighted
- Aerospace Engineer$134,960
- Electrical Engineer$120,630
- Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer$109,370
- Environmental Engineer$107,110
- Mechanical Engineer$104,110
- Automotive Engineer$104,110
- Industrial Engineer$102,440
- Civil Engineer$100,840
- Architect$99,280
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Aerospace Engineer | $134,960 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,630 |
| Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer | $109,370 |
| Environmental Engineer | $107,110 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $104,110 |
| Automotive Engineer | $104,110 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,440 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,840 |
| Architect | $99,280 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025
Lists Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer appears on
Questions
Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer: frequently asked questions
How much do Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers make?
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers earn a median of $109,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That is 115% above the $50,980 median for all US occupations. That works out at $52.58/hr. The middle half earn between $86,980 and $136,600. The top 10% earn $168,180 or more.
Do you need a degree to become a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer?
Yes. BLS reports a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers, and O*NET rates the preparation needed as medium preparation. In O*NET's survey of people already doing the job, 43.5% hold bachelor's degree.
Is Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer a growing career?
Yes, strongly. Employment is projected to grow 7.6% over 2025–2035, more than double the 3.5% projected for all occupations (BLS EP, 2025–2035). BLS still projects about 1,200 openings a year, mostly from workers retiring or moving to other work.
What does a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer do?
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with sciences to design and create equipment, devices, computer systems, and software. A core O*NET task: prepare technical reports, data summary documents, or research articles for scientific publication, regulatory submissions, or patent applications. Employers most often ask for Analytical or scientific software, Cloud-based management software, Computer aided design CAD software.
Which states pay Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers the most?
The highest state medians for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers are Arizona ($141,230), Idaho ($133,750), California ($128,310) (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What personality type suits a Bioengineer and Biomedical Engineer?
O*NET scores Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers highest on the Investigative, Realistic and Conventional interest areas, so the work mixes investigating, analysing and solving problems with ideas and data with hands-on, practical work with tools, machines or the outdoors. On NueCareer's MBTI-to-interest mapping the closest types are ISTJ, ISTP, INTJ. Personality is a fit signal, not a gate. The free NueCareer quiz scores your own profile against all 1,731 careers in the bank.