Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Salary
In District of Columbia, bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn $100,920 at the median, or about $48.52 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $129K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.88), so that salary is closer to $92,689 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,146/month, about 34.6% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across District of Columbia. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $101K get you in District of Columbia?
About bioengineers and biomedical engineers
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What this looks like in District of Columbia
Bioengineers and biomedical engineers pay in District of Columbia tracks closely to the national median, $101K locally vs. $109K nationwide, a 8% difference. Rent runs $2,146/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 35% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost-of-living overall is 9% above the national average (BEA RPP 108.88), so groceries and services cost more too. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, District of Columbia
Entry-level bioengineers and biomedical engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $101K. Top earners bring in $129K or more, a $49K spread from bottom to top.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary by metro in District of Columbia
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $110K | +9% | 470 |
Compare to other states
Track bioengineers and biomedical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when District of Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a bioengineers and biomedical engineer afford a 2BR apartment alone in District of Columbia?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $101K, rent takes 35% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $2,146/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in District of Columbia?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new bioengineers and biomedical engineers typically earn — is $80K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,770/month. At HUD’s $2,146/month FMR, rent would take 45% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is bioengineers and biomedical engineer a high-paying job in District of Columbia?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $101K locally vs. $109K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for bioengineers and biomedical engineers?
District of Columbia pays $101K median vs. the U.S. average of $109K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 108.88), the purchasing-power equivalent is $93K — below the national median.
How much do bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in District of Columbia?
The median is $100,920 a year, that works out to about $49 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $79,500, and experienced bioengineers and biomedical engineers can clear $128,740. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $101K enough to live in District of Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,137/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,146/month, which eats 35% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a bioengineers and biomedical engineers salary go in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 108.88 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median bioengineers and biomedical engineers salary is worth about $92,689 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do bioengineers and biomedical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.