Salary comparison
Biomedical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer salary
Biomedical Engineers out-earn mechanical engineers by about $4,630 at the median. Here is the full side-by-side breakdown — pay range, top states, and experience.
Biomedical Engineers earn more — a median of $106,950 versus $102,320 for mechanical engineers, a gap of about $4,630 (5%). Both figures are published national wage benchmarks.
Biomedical Engineer
Verified$106,950
Median annual wage
- Entry (10th pct)
- $71,860
- Top 10%
- $165,060
- Discipline
- Architecture & Engineering
Mechanical Engineer
Verified$102,320
Median annual wage
- Entry (10th pct)
- $68,740
- Top 10%
- $161,240
- Discipline
- Architecture & Engineering
Biomedical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer — pay distribution
Percentile-by-percentile comparison of national annual wages.
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th percentileBiomedical Engineer | $71,860 |
| MedianBiomedical Engineer | $106,950 |
| 90th percentileBiomedical Engineer | $165,060 |
| 10th percentileMechanical Engineer | $68,740 |
| MedianMechanical Engineer | $102,320 |
| 90th percentileMechanical Engineer | $161,240 |
Pay by experience
Modeled progression from entry to principal level for each role (estimated from the national percentile curve).
Biomedical Engineer
Mechanical Engineer
Where each role pays most
Highest-paying states by published median wage.
Biomedical Engineer
- Wisconsin$129,440
- Oregon$129,020
- California$125,700
- Washington$125,010
- Minnesota$124,760
Mechanical Engineer
- New Mexico$141,490
- District of Columbia$130,000
- Alaska$129,990
- California$126,370
- Massachusetts$122,670
Which should you choose?
On pay alone, biomedical engineers earn about 5% more at the median — but location and specialization routinely move pay by more than that gap.
Pick biomedical engineer if…
Biomedical engineers design medical devices, equipment, and software that combine engineering with biology and medicine.
- ▹Medical device vs. research vs. clinical setting
- ▹Regulatory (FDA) experience
- ▹Advanced degrees
Pick mechanical engineer if…
Mechanical engineers design, develop, and test mechanical and thermal devices, from engines and tools to HVAC and manufacturing systems.
- ▹Industry (aerospace and oil & gas pay above automotive/consumer)
- ▹Professional Engineer (PE) license
- ▹Years of experience
Biomedical Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer — frequently asked
Who earns more, biomedical engineers or mechanical engineers?
What is the salary range for biomedical engineers vs mechanical engineers?
Should I become a biomedical engineer or a mechanical engineer?
Source details
Published wage from BLS OEWS May 2024 for SOC 17-2031 (Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers), national.
Benchmarks come from published government wage data via BLS OEWS. Local and emerging-role figures are labeled estimates. Full methodology →