General
Biomedical Engineering
Data derived specifically from PUMS raw data for Biomedical Engineering.
Entry Level Salary
$56,275
Median Salary
$140,000
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Avg: 2.2%
Underemployment Rate
12.8%
Working non-college jobs
Earnings Trajectory
Lifetime: $5,600,000
Entry (Early)
$56,275
Median (Prime)
$140,000
High (Prime)
$147,486
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three "What-If" scenarios. While most students start at the Entry Level, calculating ROI using Median and High salaries helps illustrate the potential long-term payoff for top performers relative to the degree cost.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
+49k
+725k
+785k
$25k / yr
-41k
+635k
+695k
$50k / yr
-131k
+545k
+605k
Break-even Age
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
38
24
24
$25k / yr
Never
26
25
$50k / yr
Never
28
28
Return on Investment %
Entry Level
Median
High
$0 Cost
∞
∞
∞
$25k / yr
-38%
584%
639%
$50k / yr
-60%
251%
278%
Sensitivity Analysis Methodology: These grids assume you begin your career earning the salary specified in the column header (Entry Level = conservative baseline, Median/High = potential upside).
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Education Impact
Advanced Degree Rate54.8%
Analysis: A large percentage of students in this field pursue Master's or Doctoral degrees to maximize earnings.
Top Professions
Physicians
9.3% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$20,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$213,457|N/A
openings
22,300 /yr
Growth (10yr): +2.8%
Engineers, All Other
6.5% of graduates map to this role
Stable
Entry Salary
$75,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,506|N/A
openings
N/A /yr
Growth (10yr): N/A
Software developers
5.0% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$90,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$122,708|$133,080
openings
115,200 /yr
Growth (10yr): +15.8%
Management occupations
4.6% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$80,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$148,899|$122,090
openings
1,147,900 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.1%
Postsecondary teachers
3.8% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$30,726
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$38,006|$81,600
openings
136,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Physical scientists, all other
3.7% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$59,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$86,132|$117,960
openings
2,000 /yr
Growth (10yr): +0.6%
Industrial engineers, including health and safety
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$70,000
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$85,383|$101,490
openings
26,800 /yr
Growth (10yr): +10.6%
Engineers
3.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$62,475
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$88,491|$106,070
openings
114,600 /yr
Growth (10yr): +6.9%
Life scientists
2.4% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$50,648
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$94,391|$90,500
openings
28,400 /yr
Growth (10yr): +5.9%
Management analysts
2.1% of graduates map to this role
Growing
Entry Salary
$89,548
Median Salary (PUMS | BLS)
$120,000|$101,190
openings
98,100 /yr
Growth (10yr): +8.8%
About this Data:
- Entry: Median salary for graduates aged 27 and under (PUMS).
- Median (PUMS | BLS): Comparison of this major's graduates vs. the national market average for the role.
- Growth & Openings: 10-year national projections (2024–2034).
Program Variants & Earnings Ranges
Summary of specific program titles and credential levels mapped to this major, showing the range of earnings across different colleges.
| Program Title | Credential Level | # Colleges | Median Earnings Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| biomedical/medical engineering. | Associate's Degree | 1 | $81,975 - $81,975 |
| biomedical/medical engineering. | Bachelor's Degree | 110 | $58,898 - $129,919 |
| biomedical/medical engineering. | Master's Degree | 37 | $87,354 - $141,614 |
| biomedical/medical engineering. | Doctoral Degree | 9 | $98,201 - $170,826 |