Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)
Architecture and Engineering · SOC 17-2031 · O*NET 17-2031.00
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 fall under the Architecture and Engineering category in the U.S. occupational classification. Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers earn a median salary of $106,950 per year, ranking in the top 9% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +5.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Entry into this field typically requires a bachelor's degree, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.
What do bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn?
The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is $106,950. That puts bioengineers and biomedical engineers at #73 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. Pay at this level is well above the U.S. median household income, signaling sustained demand and meaningful credential requirements. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $71,860 |
| 25th percentile | $86,630 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $106,950 |
| 75th percentile | $133,570 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $165,060 |
| Median hourly wage | $51.42/hr |
Is bioengineers and biomedical engineers a growing career?
The 10-year outlook for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is +5.2%, projected to grow at roughly the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 22K positions in 2024 to 23K in 2034, a net change of 1K. Average growth signals a healthy, resilient occupation that mirrors broader U.S. employment trends. Job availability tends to track regional economic conditions.
What do bioengineers and biomedical engineers do every day?
According to O*NET task surveys of working bioengineers and biomedical engineers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.
- 1.Design or develop medical diagnostic or clinical instrumentation, equipment, or procedures, using the principles of engineering and biobehavioral sciences.
- 2.Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
- 3.Develop statistical models or simulations, using statistical or modeling software.
- 4.Communicate with bioregulatory authorities regarding licensing or compliance responsibilities.
- 5.Collaborate with manufacturing or quality assurance staff to prepare product specification or safety sheets, standard operating procedures, user manuals, or qualification and validation reports.
- 6.Confer with research and biomanufacturing personnel to ensure the compatibility of design and production.
- 7.Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
- 8.Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
Top skills for bioengineers and biomedical engineers
O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.
What education does my child need to become bioengineers and biomedical engineer?
The standard path into bioengineers and biomedical engineers begins with a bachelor's degree in a related field, followed by entry-level experience or internships during college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.
Based on O*NET surveys of incumbents — what people in this job actually have, not what employers list as required.
Related careers your child might also consider
How parents help teens explore careers like this
Solyo helps parents map a teen's interests to specific careers, then back to the colleges and majors that lead there. Salary, outlook, and education data come from BLS and O*NET — the same sources high school counselors use — but presented for the parent's planning lens, not the student's exploration view.
Common questions parents ask about bioengineers and biomedical engineers
What is the median salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers?
The median annual salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is $106,950 according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Is bioengineers and biomedical engineers a growing career?
BLS projects +5.2% growth for bioengineers and biomedical engineers from 2024 through 2034, which is average growth projected to grow at roughly the US average.
What education does my child need to become bioengineers and biomedical engineer?
The typical entry path requires a bachelor's degree, plus any state licensure or certification specific to the role. Programs that align well with this career can be filtered inside Solyo's college search.
What careers are similar to bioengineers and biomedical engineers?
Related occupations within the Architecture and Engineering category share education paths and skill profiles, so they're a useful starting set when a teen is uncertain. The "Related careers" section below lists nearby options.
Salary data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics program. Skills, tasks, and education distribution from the O*NET database. Job outlook from the BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034 release.