Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Electrical Engineer: $109K vs $121K Median Pay

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Electrical Engineer: what changes?

Consider Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers if you want to apply knowledge of engineering, biology, chemistry, computer science, and biomechanical principles to the design, development, and evaluation of biological, agricultural, and health systems and products, such…. Consider Electrical Engineer if you would rather research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use. Both list bachelor's degree; compare training and prior experience separately.

Try this next: Compare three local entry-level postings for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers and Electrical Engineer. List the duties, credentials, prior experience, and paid training each employer actually asks for. Try a supervised class or sample project from each field before choosing a program.

BLS 2025 wages and 2025–2035 projections. National medians are not starting offers. Occupation size is not a count of vacancies. View the BLS data.

Compare the practical differences

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

National median pay (2025): $109,370
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 1,200

Know before you choose

This is a small national occupation (23,800 jobs in 2025), so location and employer concentration can matter more than the national median suggests.

See the full Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers brief

Electrical Engineer

National median pay (2025): $120,630
Route into the job: Bachelor's degree
Prior related experience: No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
Training and licensing: BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.
Work to investigate: Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 11,400

Know before you choose

Review the full career brief for day-to-day working conditions.

See the full Electrical Engineer brief

How the national numbers differ

Electrical Engineer has the edge on annual openings

Electrical Engineer is at 11,400 annual openings, compared with 1,200 annual openings for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers.

Electrical Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Electrical Engineer is at 9.9% projected growth, compared with 7.6% projected growth for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers.

Electrical Engineer has the edge on median pay

Electrical Engineer is at $120,630, compared with $109,370 for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers.

58.6/ 100

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

74/ 100

Electrical Engineer

Each available metric is ranked from 0 to 100 against the careers on ChooseField. The weighted average uses this profile: pay 30%, growth 25%, openings 30%, preparation level 15%. Missing values are not scored as zero; their weights are redistributed across available metrics. Occupation size has zero weight: employment is not accessible vacancies. Preparation categories do not measure admission difficulty or years without earnings. The score summarizes national measures; local opportunities and personal fit still need separate consideration.

Detailed evidence

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Electrical Engineer

Dimension	Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	Electrical Engineer
Median pay (2025)	$109,370	$120,630
Pay percentile	87.8 percentile	89.6 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	7.6%	9.9%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	1,200	11,400
2025 employment	23,800	199,700
How you qualify	Bachelor's degree	Bachelor's degree
O*NET preparation group	Job Zone 4	Job Zone 4
Related work experience	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.	No prior related occupation is typically required; employer requirements vary.
On-the-job training	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.	BLS does not list a separate on-the-job training requirement. Employers may still provide orientation and role-specific training.

The table reports national benchmarks and reviewed work descriptions. It does not rate personal suitability, job security, or physical safety.

Read Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers brief Read Electrical Engineer brief

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Electrical Engineer: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Electrical Engineer

How the national numbers differ

Electrical Engineer has the edge on annual openings

Electrical Engineer has the edge on projected growth

Electrical Engineer has the edge on median pay

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Electrical Engineer

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