# Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

> 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.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioengineers-and-biomedical-engineers
- SOC code: 17-2031.00
- Career family: Architecture and engineering
- Median annual pay: $109,370 (10th percentile $71,850, 90th percentile $168,180)
- Projected growth: Faster than average, +7.6%
- Openings a year: 1,200
- Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree
- Bright outlook: yes
- Data years: BLS 2025 wages · 2025–35 projections

## Interest profile (code IRC)

| Interest area | Score (0–100) |
| --- | ---: |
| Realistic (R) | 74 |
| Investigative (I) | 96 |
| Artistic (A) | 18 |
| Social (S) | 24 |
| Enterprising (E) | 14 |
| Conventional (C) | 58 |

## What you'd do

- Working with Computers (importance 93/100)
- Analyzing Data or Information (importance 90/100)
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems (importance 86/100)
- Getting Information (importance 85/100)
- Processing Information (importance 84/100)
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge (importance 84/100)
- Thinking Creatively (importance 82/100)
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates (importance 81/100)
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards (importance 78/100)
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events (importance 77/100)

## Skills

Active Listening, Reading Comprehension, Speaking, Writing, Complex Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Judgment and Decision Making, Mathematics, Science, Active Learning

## Knowledge

Engineering and Technology, Computers and Electronics, Mathematics, Design, Physics, Biology, English Language, Medicine and Dentistry, Education and Training, Chemistry

## Also called

Analytical Biochemical Engineer, Biochemical Development Engineer, Biochemical Engineer, Biochemistry Chemical Engineering Analyst, Bioengineer, Bioinformatics Engineer, Biomaterials Engineer, Biomechanical Engineer, Biomedical Analytical Scientist, Biomedical Engineer

## Majors that lead here (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk, 4-digit CIP)

- [Biomedical/Medical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1405) (CIP 1405, 245 colleges)
- [Chemical Engineering](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/1407) (CIP 1407, 214 colleges)
- Biological/Biosystems Engineering (CIP 1445, 29 colleges)

## Colleges with strong outcomes (College Scorecard, 2025)

| College | Program | Earnings 1 yr | Earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Pennsylvania UPENN](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pennsylvania-upenn-3009) | Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $94,928 | $126,419 | not reported |
| [Massachusetts Institute of Technology MIT](https://www.collegesref.com/college/massachusetts-institute-of-technology-mit-1615) | Chemical Engineering | $103,310 | $122,093 | not reported |
| [Vanderbilt University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/vanderbilt-university-3113) | Chemical Engineering | $84,790 | $121,641 | not reported |
| [Rice University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/rice-university-2227) | Biomedical/Medical Engineering | not reported | $121,099 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley CAL](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Chemical Engineering | $89,950 | $121,027 | $16,167 |
| [University of California-Los Angeles UCLA](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-los-angeles-ucla-2884) | Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $73,927 | $116,525 | $13,000 |
| [Cornell University-New York](https://www.collegesref.com/college/cornell-university-new-york-710) | Chemical Engineering | $90,501 | $116,165 | $13,500 |
| [Lafayette College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/lafayette-college-1414) | Chemical Engineering | $76,625 | $115,726 | not reported |

## Related careers

- [Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists and Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanotechnology-engineering-technologists-and-technicians): $66,120 median pay
- [Nanosystems Engineers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/nanosystems-engineers): $122,930 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Scientists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-scientists): $98,920 median pay
- [Biochemists and Biophysicists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/biochemists-and-biophysicists): $127,410 median pay
- [Molecular and Cellular Biologists](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/molecular-and-cellular-biologists): $98,920 median pay
- [Bioinformatics Technicians](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/bioinformatics-technicians): $81,490 median pay

## Sources

- [O*NET Database](https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html), version 31.0 (CC BY 4.0)
- [BLS Employment Projections](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables.htm), version 2025-35, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/oes/tables.htm), version 2025, data year 2025 (Public domain (U.S. government work))
- [NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk](https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/resources.aspx?y=56), version 2020, data year 2020 (Public domain (U.S. government work))

O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.