With a national median of $109,370 and +5.2% projected job growth through 2034, Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer offers both strong financial return and stable long-term demand.
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.
Also known as:
Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer earn $109,370 nationally, well above the national median for college graduates. The middle 50% of earners fall between $86,980 and $136,600. Actual pay varies by employer, specialization, and location.
Well above average for college graduates.
25th to 75th percentile. Most workers earn within this band.
O*NET data identifies 5 core activities and 5 measurable skills for Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer roles. Use this section to judge whether the day-to-day reality aligns with what you actually want to spend time doing.
This career demands analytical thinking: researching problems, interpreting data, and applying logical reasoning to find practical solutions.
Hands-on tasks, physical activity, or working with tools and real materials are central parts of the daily work here.
Success depends on precision and structured processes, where detail-oriented people who work consistently within established systems perform best.
What the physical and mental conditions of this job actually look like day to day, based on O*NET Work Context data collected from people working in this occupation.
Split between indoor and outdoor or field settings.
Mix of sitting and movement throughout the day.
Moderate pressure. Regular deadlines exist but are generally manageable with experience.
The BLS projects +5.2% employment change for Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer through 2034, roughly in line with the national average of +5%. About 1,300 openings per year keep the field accessible to new entrants.
About as fast as average.
New positions plus replacements for retirees and career-changers.
Total US employment as of BLS May 2024.
Source: BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2024.
The five states below employ the most Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer professionals nationwide. State-level wages can differ significantly from the $109,370 national median. Research your specific market before committing to a program.
| # | State | Jobs | Median Wage | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 3,920 | $107,720 | -1.5% |
| 2 | California | 2,900 | $125,700 | +14.9% |
| 3 | Texas | 1,750 | $97,160 | -11.2% |
| 4 | Ohio | 1,470 | $117,960 | +7.9% |
| 5 | Indiana | 970 | $105,750 | -3.3% |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Employment figures rounded. Read our methodology →
Most Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer positions require a bachelor's degree to qualify. The 3 programs below are the most common academic pathways into this field, ranked by how many graduates they produce each year.
These positions typically require a bachelor's degree and several years of related experience before advancing into senior roles.
| # | Program | Graduates/yr | 4yr Median | Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bioengineering | 14,006 | $93,451 | 250 |
| 2 | Chemical Engineering | 11,830 | $98,158 | 211 |
| 3 | Engineering Mathematics | 411 | $83,998 | 26 |
Colleges offering the degree programs that lead to this career, ranked by UCD Score. A strong program plus solid outcomes is a good place to begin your search.
| # | College | UCD Score | Net Price | Salary 10yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States Military Academy West Point, NY | 96 | — | — |
| 2 | Princeton University Princeton, NJ | 94 | $6,128 | $110,066 |
| 3 | University of California-Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA | 93 | $12,548 | $82,511 |
| 4 | University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | 93 | $12,470 | $84,943 |
| 5 | University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA | 93 | $13,481 | $92,446 |
| 6 | University of Florida Gainesville, FL | 93 | $6,541 | $71,588 |
Once you've sized up Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer, these tools turn the numbers into a plan. Estimate the real cost of a degree that leads here, weigh the long-term payoff, compare specific colleges side-by-side, and find programs that match your profile.
See if the degree that leads to Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer pays off. Weighs each college's cost against the earnings graduates see.
Enter a budget and see the colleges whose net price fits, with the out-of-pocket cost and likely loan load for each.
Put any 2–4 colleges side-by-side. Admissions, cost, outcomes, and earnings, all on one screen, no tab-hopping.
Answer six quick questions and see your best-fit colleges ranked by budget, field of study, and what matters most to you.
Strong earnings and growing demand make Bioengineer / Biomedical Engineer a compelling path. The 3 strengths and 1 trade-offs below are drawn from BLS wage data and employment projections.
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