Career comparison
Biomedical Engineer vs. Mechanical Engineer
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Biomedical engineers earn more at the median ($109,370 vs. $104,110), while biomedical engineers usually get to work faster (4-year engineering degree of training). Biomedical engineers design medical devices, implants and technology that improve patient care. Mechanical engineers design machines, engines, tools and products that move and work.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Biomedical Engineer | Mechanical Engineer | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $109,370 ($52.58/hr) | $104,110 ($50.05/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $71,850 – $168,180 | $73,990 – $164,340 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +7.6% (much faster than average) | +11.2% (much faster than average) |
| Openings per year | 1,200 | 17,800 |
| Typical entry education | Bachelor's degree | Bachelor's degree |
| Training time | 4-year engineering degree | 4 years |
| Key credential | RAC | Engineer in Training (EIT) |
| Work setting | Biomedical engineers work in labs, offices, hospitals and manufacturing.. | Mechanical engineers work in offices, labs and plants.. |
What each job does
Biomedical Engineer
- Design medical devices
- Test prototypes
- Analyze data
- Work with clinicians
- Document for FDA
Mechanical Engineer
- Design mechanical systems and products
- Create CAD models
- Analyze stress, heat and fluids
- Build and test prototypes
- Develop manufacturing processes
How they’re similar
Both careers involve high-pay, in-demand, problem-solving, and teamwork. Both are part of the science, engineering & lab field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose biomedical engineer if…
- I like biology and engineering
- I want to help patients
- I like testing
Choose mechanical engineer if…
- I love how machines work
- I enjoy math and physics
- I like designing products
Still torn? Take the Biomedical Engineer fit quiz and the Mechanical Engineer fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, biomedical engineer or mechanical engineer?
Biomedical Engineers earn more at the median: $109,370 versus $104,110 for mechanical engineers, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Biomedical Engineers typically train faster (4-year engineering degree) than mechanical engineers (4 years).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects mechanical engineers to grow +11.2% from 2025–35, compared with +7.6% for biomedical engineers.