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Salary comparison

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs. Civil Engineers: Who Earns More?

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers out-earn Civil Engineers by $9K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers land at $109,370 and Civil Engineers at $100,840. The education gap is real: bioengineers and biomedical engineer programs typically require bachelor's degree, while civil engineer programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is Arizona ($141,230); for Civil Engineers it's California ($122,500).

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Civil Engineers
Median salary
$109,370
$100,840
Hourly rate
$52.58/hr
$48.48/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$71,850
$68,240
Senior level (90th %)
$168,180
$163,220
Education required
Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
U.S. employment
23,480
367,840
Job growth (10-year)
5.2%
5%
Category
Engineering
Engineering
Top-paying state
Arizona
California

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers median pay.

State
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers
Civil Engineers
California
$128,310
$122,500
Minnesota
$127,730
$101,480
Massachusetts
$127,570
$106,730
Oregon
$122,510
$105,250
New Jersey
$114,680
$104,660
Colorado
$110,650
$101,420
New York
$104,010
$103,760
Connecticut
$103,500
$103,150
District of Columbia
$100,920
$103,880
South Carolina
$99,130
$101,600
Kentucky
$95,360
$100,930
North Carolina
$94,790
$100,730
Nevada
$87,850
$104,310
Louisiana
$84,320
$105,380
Nebraska
$83,890
$103,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers earn more nationally. The median is $109,370 for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers versus $100,840 for Civil Engineers, a difference of $9K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has the better 10-year outlook at 5.2% projected growth, compared to 5% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers or Civil Engineers?

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers typically requires bachelor's degree. Civil Engineers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers get paid the most?

Arizona is the top-paying state for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers at $141,230/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs. Civil Engineers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In California, Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers earn $128,310 vs. $122,500 for Civil Engineers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary breakdownView →Full Civil Engineers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Civil Engineers by take-home payExplore →How to become a bioengineers and biomedical engineersGuide →How to become a civil engineersGuide →