How to Become a Biomedical Engineer in 2026
Quick answer: Becoming a biomedical engineer requires a 4-year degree - typically a ABET-accredited bachelor’s in biomedical engineering. The national median pay is $109,370 per year, and BLS projects +5.2% employment change from 2024 to 2034 (BLS OEWS, May 2025; BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Biomedical Engineer at a Glance
| Metric | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $109,370 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Typical wage range | $71,850 (10th pct) - $168,180 (90th pct) | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected growth (2024-34) | +5.2% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
| Typical education | ABET-accredited bachelor’s in biomedical engineering | BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook |
| License / certification | No license for most roles | State licensing boards |
What Does a Biomedical Engineer Do?
Biomedical engineers design medical devices, imaging systems, prosthetics, and hospital equipment - the engineering layer above the biomedical equipment technicians who install, calibrate, and repair that gear in the field.
Skills That Make a Great Biomedical Engineer
- Medical-device design standards
- Electronics and mechanical systems
- Regulatory knowledge (FDA QSR, ISO 13485)
- Verification and validation testing
- Clinical-environment awareness
How to Become a Biomedical Engineer
1. Earn an ABET-accredited bachelor’s
Biomedical engineering, or electrical/mechanical engineering with a biomedical focus.
2. Leverage device experience
BMET and field-service backgrounds are valued in test, quality, and field-engineering roles.
3. Start in test, quality, or field engineering
Device manufacturers hire at the bachelor’s level; regulatory knowledge (FDA QSR/ISO 13485) accelerates it.
4. Specialize
Imaging, implantables, diagnostics, or regulatory affairs.
5. Advance
Senior engineer, quality management, or R&D leadership.
Why an Online Degree Works for This Career
Medical equipment repairers (BMETs) are the natural feeders: you already know the devices, the standards, and the hospital environment. The bachelor’s converts service expertise into design and quality-engineering roles at device manufacturers.
Biomedical Engineer Salary
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $71,850 |
| 25th | $86,980 |
| 50th (median) | $109,370 |
| 75th | $136,600 |
| 90th | $168,180 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,200 |
| 2034 projected | 23,300 |
| Percent change | +5.2% |
Cost and Time to Complete the Degree
For biomedical engineers, the credential is: ABET-accredited bachelor’s in biomedical engineering. A bachelor’s degree is typically 120 credit hours: four years full-time, and commonly five to six years part-time while working. Transfer credit is the other lever: prior college, military training, apprenticeship coursework, and industry certifications can be worth a year or more at transfer-friendly schools, so get a written transfer evaluation before enrolling anywhere. Costs vary widely by school type; in-state public online programs are usually the value benchmark, and employer tuition assistance is common for working adults in this field.
Pros and Cons of Becoming a Biomedical Engineer
Pros
- Median pay of $109,370 nationally (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- BLS projects +5.2% employment growth through 2034
- Field experience from the trades is a genuine hiring advantage
- Accredited online and hybrid degree paths exist for working adults
Cons
- Requires a 4-year degree (typically 120 credit hours)
- Entry-level pay starts near $71,850 at the 10th percentile
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a medical equipment repairer become a biomedical engineer?
Yes - BMET experience plus the ABET bachelor's is a recognized path into device manufacturers, where field familiarity with the equipment is a hiring advantage.
How much do biomedical engineers make?
The national median annual wage for bioengineers and biomedical engineers is $109,370 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The top 10% earn $168,180 or more, while entry-level pay starts around $71,850.
What is the job outlook for biomedical engineers?
BLS projects employment of bioengineers and biomedical engineers to change by +5.2% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Biomedical Engineer Salary and Requirements by State
Alabama · Arizona · Arkansas · California · Colorado · Connecticut · District of Columbia · Florida · Georgia · Idaho · Illinois · Indiana · Iowa · Kentucky · Louisiana · Maryland · Massachusetts · Michigan · Minnesota · Mississippi · Missouri · Nebraska · Nevada · New Hampshire · New Jersey · New York · North Carolina · Ohio · Oklahoma · Oregon · Pennsylvania · South Carolina · Tennessee · Texas · Utah · Virginia · Wisconsin
Related Trade Careers
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers (SOC 17-2031)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
Biomedical Engineer Salary by State
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |