Contents
Biomedical Engineer Salary
| Percentile | 10% | 25% | 50% | 75% | 90% |
| Hourly Wage | $25.29 | $32.42 | $41.81 | $53.66 | $67.05 |
| Annual Wage | $52,600 | $67,400 | $87,000 | $111,600 | $139,500 |
How much does a biomedicalengineer make? Biomedical engineers are professionals who have a background in medicine and engineering. They perform a number of duties such as designing products including prosthetic limbs and artificial organs and machines that help diagnose medical conditions. Biomedical engineers can also develop computer software for medical devices. The path to become a biomedical engineer requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in bioengineering to find entry level positions after graduation; however, a graduate degree is needed to obtain employment in research and development.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for biomedical engineers was $86,960 in 2012. This means that half of those employed in this field made more than this amount while half made less. Biomedical engineers who earned in the lowest 10 percent made $52,600 or less. The top 10 percent in the field made $139,450 or higher.
Factors Impacting Salary
Biomedical engineers working in the area of scientific research and development command the highest salaries followed by those employed in medical equipment and supplies manufacturing. The lowest paying jobs in biomedical engineering are usually found in colleges and universities. In addition, an advanced degree generally offers more opportunities for higher paying positions in the field.
Geographical Location and Salary
Biomedical engineers in Colorado reported the highest salaries in the field. The lowest paying state for biomedical engineers is Oklahoma.
Work Environment and Schedule
The majority of biomedical engineers work full time during normal business hours, but they might work extended hours to accommodate the needs of their employers. There are various places biomedical engineers can find employment including hospitals, laboratories, colleges and universities, and in the pharmaceutical or medical manufacturing industry. Depending on the industry in which they are employed, biomedical engineers work alongside others in the healthcare field and scientists.
Job Outlook
The job outlook for biomedical engineers is excellent. The field is expected to expand at a rate of 27 percent from 2012 until 2022 which is at a much faster rate than many other professions. However, that only equals 5,200 jobs since the field is not large. New biomedical engineers will be needed due to the aging baby boomerswho will require access to more of their products and services such hip and knee replacements. Additionally, many biomedical engineers will be retiring in the coming years and that will also create new positions in the field.
Top Paying Industries
| Industry | Employment | % of industry employment | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean salary |
| Specialized Design Services | – | – | $55.43 | $115,300 |
| Offices of Physicians | 160 | 0.01 | $49.95 | $103,890 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | 3,870 | 0.61 | $49.04 | $102,000 |
| Computer Systems Design and Related Services | 350 | 0.02 | $48.66 | $101,220 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | 460 | 0.07 | $47.95 | $99,740 |
Salary By State
| State | 10% | 25% | Median | 75% | 90% | Jobs (2010) | Jobs (2020) | Outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $53,500 | $63,500 | $81,500 | $95,000 | $111,100 | 60 | 110 | +73% |
| Alaska | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Arizona | $34,600 | $49,400 | $68,400 | $89,800 | $109,100 | 300 | 530 | +76% |
| Arkansas | $43,900 | $51,000 | $64,400 | $73,200 | $92,500 | 20 | 40 | +61% |
| California | $64,900 | $79,400 | $97,300 | $120,800 | $145,500 | 4,000 | 6,700 | +68% |
| Colorado | $54,100 | $72,900 | $97,800 | $136,800 | $169,700 | 70 | 120 | +69% |
| Connecticut | $56,600 | $66,100 | $81,200 | $96,800 | $126,900 | 200 | 310 | +54% |
| Delaware | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| District of Columbia | $61,600 | $67,800 | $82,800 | $112,700 | $131,600 | 30 | 60 | +67% |
| Florida | $44,200 | $55,900 | $72,600 | $94,800 | $116,200 | 620 | 990 | +60% |
| Georgia | $51,800 | $63,100 | $80,000 | $95,700 | $113,800 | 170 | 280 | +65% |
| Hawaii | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Idaho | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Illinois | $44,200 | $59,700 | $74,400 | $90,500 | $114,200 | 700 | 1,050 | +50% |
| Iowa | $51,100 | $60,500 | $80,300 | $93,900 | $117,100 | 50 | 90 | +75% |
| Kansas | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Kentucky | $42,500 | $52,000 | $67,600 | $87,300 | $102,300 | – | – | – |
| Louisiana | – | – | – | – | – | 30 | 60 | +82% |
| Maine | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Maryland | $62,500 | $74,700 | $89,000 | $102,600 | $116,900 | 390 | 670 | +72% |
| Massachusetts | $60,600 | $74,200 | $91,500 | $116,300 | $142,500 | 1,400 | 2,630 | +88% |
| Michigan | $48,900 | $55,500 | $69,400 | $93,300 | $187,200+ | 200 | 310 | +54% |
| Minnesota | $63,100 | $77,900 | $103,500 | $129,700 | $145,500 | 870 | 1,430 | +66% |
| Mississippi | – | – | – | – | – | 30 | 30 | +16% |
| Missouri | $42,200 | $52,000 | $58,100 | $68,300 | $89,200 | 200 | 330 | +67% |
| Montana | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Nebraska | $42,800 | $54,600 | $67,100 | $80,100 | $93,600 | – | – | – |
| Nevada | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| New Hampshire | $44,600 | $56,300 | $85,800 | $111,700 | $135,500 | 50 | 80 | +58% |
| New Jersey | $59,700 | $68,000 | $81,800 | $102,200 | $133,200 | 490 | 750 | +55% |
| New Mexico | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| New York | $54,300 | $66,900 | $84,200 | $105,600 | $131,300 | 410 | 650 | +60% |
| North Carolina | $57,300 | $68,400 | $88,000 | $112,400 | $134,400 | 250 | 480 | +91% |
| North Dakota | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ohio | $54,400 | $67,600 | $85,200 | $103,000 | $118,400 | 300 | 470 | +53% |
| Oklahoma | $41,200 | $48,000 | $56,200 | $67,000 | $78,100 | – | – | – |
| Oregon | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Pennsylvania | $54,700 | $66,900 | $81,700 | $95,200 | $115,500 | 960 | 1,560 | +63% |
| Rhode Island | $62,800 | $75,200 | $91,000 | $110,800 | $132,900 | 40 | 60 | +74% |
| South Carolina | $44,100 | $54,800 | $78,200 | $90,800 | $104,600 | 80 | 150 | +74% |
| South Dakota | – | – | – | – | – | 10 | 20 | +55% |
| Tennessee | $52,300 | $65,600 | $82,400 | $103,600 | $133,200 | – | – | – |
| Texas | $40,300 | $62,200 | $86,500 | $125,800 | $162,200 | 1,440 | 2,490 | +73% |
| Utah | $52,100 | $66,400 | $84,100 | $102,000 | $117,500 | 310 | 640 | +105% |
| Vermont | – | – | – | – | – | 20 | 30 | +60% |
| Virginia | $56,700 | $72,700 | $89,600 | $119,000 | $163,700 | 460 | 910 | +96% |
| Washington | $44,300 | $54,000 | $72,400 | $107,100 | $142,500 | 270 | 410 | +53% |
| West Virginia | – | – | – | – | – | 20 | 40 | +80% |
| Wisconsin | $44,800 | $63,100 | $78,300 | $92,300 | $107,200 | 170 | 260 | +53% |
| Wyoming | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
