Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a median of $128,270 a year ($61.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $92,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,480 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $109,370. Pay here is about the same as the California statewide median of $128,310. There are 0.27 bioengineers and biomedical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $92,400 | $44.42 |
| 25th percentile | $102,270 | $49.17 |
| Median | $128,270 | $61.67 |
| 75th percentile | $150,290 | $72.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $169,480 | $81.48 |
| Average (mean) | $129,110 | $62.07 |
Half of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,689.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,344.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,933.46 |
| Weekly | $2,466.73 |
| Hourly | $61.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $128,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $140,660 | 650 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,450 | 270 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $128,300 | 130 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $128,240 | 910 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $123,670 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for bioengineers and biomedical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $141,230 |
| Idaho | $133,750 |
| California | $128,310 |
| Minnesota | $127,730 |
| Massachusetts | $127,570 |
| Pennsylvania | $122,560 |
| Oregon | $122,510 |
| New Jersey | $114,680 |
| Ohio | $111,550 |
| Colorado | $110,650 |
See Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $108,900 | $52.35 |
| Industrial Engineer | $119,050 | $57.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $132,790 | $63.84 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $156,480 | $75.23 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $121,750 | $58.54 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $174,440 | $83.87 |
| Electrical Engineer | $127,270 | $61.19 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $135,010 | $64.91 |
| Environmental Engineer | $119,390 | $57.40 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $124,740 | $59.97 |
| Materials Engineer | $124,180 | $59.70 |
| Marine Engineers and Naval Architects | $118,100 | $56.78 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $107,590 | $51.73 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $91,620 | $44.05 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median salary for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $128,270 a year, or $61.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $92,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $169,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bioengineers and biomedical engineers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The top 10% of bioengineers and biomedical engineers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn at least $169,480 a year. The top 25% earn $150,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $92,400 a year, and a quarter of bioengineers and biomedical engineers earn $102,270 or less.
How many bioengineers and biomedical engineers work in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
About 410 bioengineers and biomedical engineers are employed in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.