Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in California
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in California earn a median of $128,310 a year ($61.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $89,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,810 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $109,370. California ranks 3rd of 37 states for bioengineers and biomedical engineers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.15 bioengineers and biomedical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $132,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $89,420 | $42.99 |
| 25th percentile | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Median | $128,310 | $61.69 |
| 75th percentile | $153,670 | $73.88 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $179,810 | $86.45 |
| Average (mean) | $132,400 | $63.65 |
Half of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,692.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,346.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,935 |
| Weekly | $2,467.50 |
| Hourly | $61.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $140,660 | 650 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,450 | 270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $128,300 | 130 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $128,270 | 410 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,240 | 910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $123,670 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for bioengineers and biomedical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $141,230 |
| Idaho | $133,750 |
| California | $128,310 |
| Minnesota | $127,730 |
| Massachusetts | $127,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $122,560 |
| Oregon | $122,510 |
| New Jersey | $114,680 |
| Ohio | $111,550 |
| Colorado | $110,650 |
See Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $122,500 | $58.89 |
| Industrial Engineer | $124,600 | $59.90 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $130,900 | $62.94 |
| Engineers, All Other | $130,850 | $62.91 |
| Electrical Engineer | $144,040 | $69.25 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $160,520 | $77.17 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $185,180 | $89.03 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $157,620 | $75.78 |
| Environmental Engineer | $130,410 | $62.70 |
| Materials Engineer | $128,470 | $61.77 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $131,540 | $63.24 |
| Nuclear Engineer | $172,400 | $82.88 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $143,590 | $69.03 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $158,130 | $76.03 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in California?
The median salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in California is $128,310 a year, or $61.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $89,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $179,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in California?
The top 10% of bioengineers and biomedical engineers in California earn at least $179,810 a year. The top 25% earn $153,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $89,420 a year, and a quarter of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn $105,950 or less.
How many bioengineers and biomedical engineers work in California?
About 2,750 bioengineers and biomedical engineers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.