Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA, bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn $127,640 at the median — $61.37 an hour. The range runs from $80K at the entry level to $185K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $117,316 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 41.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $128K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About bioengineers and biomedical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level bioengineers and biomedical engineers (10th percentile) start around $80K. Mid-career wages sit at $128K.Top earners bring in $185K or more - a $105K spread from bottom to top.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $129K | +21% | 220 |
| Oregon | $129K | +21% | 90 |
| California | $126K | +18% | 2,900 |
| Washington | $125K | +17% | 970 |
| Minnesota | $125K | +17% | 720 |
| Arizona | $122K | +14% | 410 |
| Ohio | $118K | +10% | 1,470 |
| Oklahoma | $117K | +10% | 90 |
| New York | $117K | +10% | 920 |
| New Mexico | $117K | +9% | N/A |
| New Jersey | $115K | +8% | 490 |
| Kansas | $109K | +2% | 80 |
| Rhode Island | $108K | +1% | N/A |
| Massachusetts | $108K | +1% | 3,920 |
| North Carolina | $107K | +0% | 640 |
Track bioengineers and biomedical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $127,640 a year - that works out to about $61.37 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $80,190, and experienced bioengineers and biomedical engineers can clear $184,750. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $128K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $7,499/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.7% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (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 $117,316 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.