Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Also called: Analytical Biochemical Engineer, Biochemical Development Engineer, Biochemical Engineer, Biochemistry Chemical Engineering Analyst, Bioengineer, Bioinformatics Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Biomechanical Engineer
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.
What bioengineers and biomedical engineers do
Typical tasks
- 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.
- Manage teams of engineers by creating schedules, tracking inventory, creating or using budgets, or overseeing contract obligations or deadlines.
- Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
- Design or conduct follow-up experimentation, based on generated data, to meet established process objectives.
- Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
Typical path into the job (BLS)
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary
The median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is $109,370 (BLS OEWS May 2025; BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, national). The lowest 10 percent earn less than $71,850 and the highest 10 percent earn more than $168,180. The mean annual wage is $116,890.
The mean hourly wage of $56.00 is 7.7× the federal minimum wage of $7.25. State minimums are higher in most large states. Minimum wage by state →
How does your pay compare with people your age?
Your numbers are not sent or stored. The comparison uses this occupation's BLS wage percentiles, adjusted for age with BLS median weekly earnings by age group (Q3 2026).
Pay by percentile
Annual wage percentiles from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Percentiles are a good proxy for pay by experience.
Projected pay for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (3, 5 and 10 years)est.
Today $109,370 → in 3 years $119,000 → in 5 years $125,900 → in 10 years $144,900 (10-year range $124,600–$168,200). The model assumes pay growth of +2.9% per year.
What drives the annual growth rate
Projected pay = current pay × (1 + annual growth)^years. The annual growth rate starts from a base wage-growth rate and adds or subtracts labor demand (BLS projected employment growth), wage momentum and AI replacement risk for each occupation. Projections are not guarantees. How it is calculated →
Outlook score for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Each component is a percentile rank among all occupations in the same country (0–100). Weights: labor demand 25, wage momentum / openings 15, pay level 15, AI resistance 25, aging workforce 10 (Japan only), entry barrier 10.
Will AI replace Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers? AI replacement risk
How AI is changing this job
A written analysis for this occupation is being prepared.
AI replacement risk compares the parts of a job that are easy to hand to AI or software (processing information, documentation, repetitive computer work) with the parts that are hard to automate (physical work, working closely with people, judgment in unpredictable settings), using O*NET work activities, work context, skills and knowledge. The result is a relative position among all occupations in the country, scaled to 0–100%. Methodology →
Labor demand for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Employment projections are from the BLS Employment Projections program (2025–35). Annual openings include both new jobs and replacement of workers who leave the occupation.
The same job in Japan
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers United States | 医療機器開発技術者 Japan | |
|---|---|---|
| Median / average pay | $109,370 | ¥7.04M ≈ $44,766 |
| Pay in 10 years (est.) | $144,900 | ¥9.01M |
| Outlook score | 60 | 59 |
| AI replacement risk | 61% High | 52% Moderate |
| Workers | 23K | — |
Matched by occupation (SOC code). Yen converted at 157.25 JPY/USD for reference; Japanese figures are averages, U.S. figures are medians, and the surveys define occupations differently.
Skills, education and requirements for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Key skills
O*NET skill level ratings (0–7).
Key knowledge areas
What the work involves
Important abilities
Education of workers
Training before entry
Related work experience
Job Zone 4 — considerable preparation needed (O*NET)
Difficulty of entry: ★★★☆☆ Moderate (from education, training, experience and Job Zone)
How to become bioengineers and biomedical engineers
A step-by-step guide for this occupation is being prepared. The education, training and experience data above show the typical path.
Career path and how to earn more as bioengineers and biomedical engineers
Career-path guidance is being prepared. Pay by percentile is shown in the Pay section.