Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
SOC code 17-2031 · O*NET-SOC 17-2031.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Science and engineering
Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$109,370
a year
Hourly
$52.58
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$116,890
$56.20 per hour
Middle 50%
$86,980 – $136,600
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$71,850 – $168,180
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
23,480
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $71,850
- $34.55/hr
- 25th percentile
- $86,980
- $41.82/hr
- Median percentile
- $109,370
- $52.58/hr
- 75th percentile
- $136,600
- $65.68/hr
- 90th percentile
- $168,180
- $80.86/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+5%
Growing faster than average
22,200
jobs in 2024
23,300
projected for 2034
About 1,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What do bioengineers and biomedical engineers 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.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
- 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.
- Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
- 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.
How to qualify for this work
Most people in this role hold bachelor's degree — 43% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Education reported by people doing this job
- Bachelor's Degree43%
- Master's Degree26%
- Doctoral Degree13%
- Post-Doctoral Training13%
Common questions
How much does a bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn?
The national median is $109,370 a year. The full range runs from $71,850 at the 10th percentile to $168,180 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a bioengineers and biomedical engineers without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is bioengineers and biomedical engineers in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 5% between 2024 and 2034 — growing faster than average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension4.0/5
- Active Listening4.0/5
- Writing4.0/5
- Speaking4.0/5
- Mathematics3.9/5
- Science3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Engineering and Technology4.6/5
- Computers and Electronics4.5/5
- Mathematics4.4/5
- Design4.0/5
- Physics4.0/5
- Biology3.8/5
- English Language3.8/5
- Medicine and Dentistry3.7/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making.