Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Environmental Engineers: Similar Median Pay, Different Work

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Environmental Engineers: 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 Environmental Engineers if you would rather research, design, plan, or perform engineering duties in the prevention, control, and remediation of environmental hazards using various engineering disciplines. 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 Environmental Engineers. 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

Environmental Engineers

National median pay (2025): $107,110
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, or supervise the design of, systems, processes, or equipment for control, management, or remediation of water, air, or soil quality.
Annual openings (2025–2035): 2,300

Know before you choose

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

See the full Environmental Engineers brief

How the national numbers differ

Environmental Engineers has the edge on annual openings

Environmental Engineers is at 2,300 annual openings, compared with 1,200 annual openings for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers.

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has the edge on projected growth

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is at 7.6% projected growth, compared with 6.3% projected growth for Environmental Engineers.

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has the edge on median pay

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers is at $109,370, compared with $107,110 for Environmental Engineers.

58.6/ 100

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

61.1/ 100

Environmental Engineers

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 Environmental Engineers

Dimension	Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers	Environmental Engineers
Median pay (2025)	$109,370	$107,110
Pay percentile	87.8 percentile	87.3 percentile
Projected growth (2025–2035)	7.6%	6.3%
Annual openings (2025–2035)	1,200	2,300
2025 employment	23,800	39,100
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 Environmental Engineers brief

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Environmental Engineers: what changes?

The facts most likely to affect your decision

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers

Environmental Engineers

How the national numbers differ

Environmental Engineers has the edge on annual openings

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has the edge on projected growth

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers has the edge on median pay

Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers vs Environmental Engineers

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