California Median
$128,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$61.69
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $109,370
State Rank
#3 of 37
2,750 employed here
How much do Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers make in California?
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in California take home a median of $128,310 annually — roughly $61.69 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $109,370.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $89,420 while the top 10% make $179,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $105,950 and $153,670 a year.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,420 | $42.99 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $105,950 | $50.94 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $128,310 | $61.69 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $153,670 | $73.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,810 | $86.45 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 3rd out of 37 states and territories for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in other states
Arizona $141,230Idaho $133,750Minnesota $127,730Massachusetts $127,570Pennsylvania $122,560Oregon $122,510New Jersey $114,680Ohio $111,550Colorado $110,650Wisconsin $110,430Oklahoma $109,340Indiana $108,030Tennessee $106,470Virginia $106,140Maryland $105,090New York $104,010Connecticut $103,500Florida $101,730Michigan $100,940District of Columbia $100,920South Carolina $99,130Georgia $96,920Mississippi $96,710Kentucky $95,360New Hampshire $94,890North Carolina $94,790Texas $92,600Utah $90,870Illinois $89,520Missouri $89,480Nevada $87,850Alabama $85,720Louisiana $84,320Nebraska $83,890Iowa $81,710Arkansas $67,850
Working as Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in California
Nationally, about 23,000 people work as Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($128,310) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers make in California?
The median Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in California is $128,310 per year, or about $61.69 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $89,420 at the entry level to $179,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers about 17% more than the national median of $109,370. California ranks 3rd out of 37 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $128,310 a year. About 2,750 Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.