The Average Salary of Biomedical Engineers

Biomedical engineers solve health problems by designing and developing devices and systems. These highly-trained professionals may work on cutting-edge technology, from artificial organs to high-tech medical equipment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, biomedical engineering employment will experience fast growth of at least 72 percent from 2008 through 2018.

National Salary

• The mean hourly wage for biomedical engineers was $39.69 and the mean annual wage, or average annual salary, was $82,550, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Median annual wages for biomedical engineers ranged from approximately $49,480 to $123,270. The lowest 10 percent earn less than $49,480 and the top 10 percent earn more than $123,270.

Experience

• The PayScale website lists the annual salary of biomedical engineers according to their years of experience. In October 2010, biomedical engineers with less than one year of experience earned $41,514 to $60,428; one to four years, $45,719 to $65,616; five to nine years, $51,727 to $83,549; and 10 to 19 years, $63,280 to $101,278.

High Employment

• The medical equipment and supplies manufacturing industry employed the largest number of biomedical engineers, with an average annual salary of $81,590, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that employed large numbers were: scientific research and development services, $86,150; pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, $81,150; navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing, $92,330; and general medical and surgical hospitals, $66,250.

Top-Paying Industries

• The management, scientific and technical consulting services industry paid the highest average annual salary to biomedical engineers, with $103,020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that offered high pay were: navigational, measuring, electromedical and control instruments manufacturing, $92,330; professional and commercial equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers, $91,640; the federal executive branch, $87,100; and scientific research and development services, $86,150.

Top-Paying States

• The highest average annual salary for biomedical engineers was paid in Minnesota, with $96,930, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other states that offered high pay were: Massachusetts, $93,030; Arizona, $92,250; California, $90,590; and Connecticut, $87,150.