Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
Salary distribution
Where Illinois bioengineers and biomedical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $49,040 and $112,400, with a median of $89,520.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 55 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $86,341. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 23 | $64,334 |
| Level II — qualified | 12 | $92,819 |
| Level III — experienced | 12 | $111,500 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 8 | $118,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwestern University | Postdoctoral Scholar | 8 | $63,214 |
| The University of Chicago | Postdoctoral Scholar | 6 | $63,178 |
| University of Illinois | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 4 | $61,236 |
| ABBOTT LABORATORIES | MANAGER - CORE GLOBAL SERVICES | 3 | $100,000 |
| CZ Biohub Chicago LLC | Postdoctoral Fellow | 3 | $104,000 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Research Scientist | 3 | $61,817 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Assistant Professor (RT) | 3 | $127,296 |
| Bio-Med Services, Inc. | Biomed Engineer I | 2 | $83,054 |
| ABBOTT MOLECULAR INC. | Senior Design Quality Assurance Specialist | 1 | $90,000 |
| ABBVIE INC. | SENIOR SCIENTIST II | 1 | $138,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois$64,903UrbanaWage Level IDecided Mar 31, 2026I-200-26083-725024
- Senior Project Manager, CPS at Argon Medical Devices$123,698WheelingWage Level IVDecided Mar 19, 2026I-200-26071-699848
- Project Engineer at UL LLC$99,341NorthbrookWage Level IIIDecided Mar 11, 2026I-200-26063-678978
- MANAGER - CORE GLOBAL SERVICES at ABBOTT LABORATORIES$135,000LAKE FORESTWage Level IIIDecided Mar 11, 2026I-200-26063-679597
- R&D Engineer, Droplet Handling and Automation at CZ BIOHUB CHICAGO LLC$130,000ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Mar 6, 2026I-200-26058-669342
- Biomed Engineer I at Bio-Med Services, Inc.$70,470ChicagoWage Level IDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-655659
- Regional Manager at Bio-Med Services, Inc.$95,638ChicagoWage Level IIDecided Feb 27, 2026I-200-26051-654542
- Senior Product Manager at Natera, Inc.$156,270ChicagoWage Level IVDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26030-610156
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay by experience level in Illinois
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers specialties in Illinois
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 21 certified offers. The most common variant is Postdoctoral Scholar at a median of $61,714.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Scholar | Northwestern University | 12 | $61,714 |
| Postdoctoral Research Associate | University of Illinois | 3 | $57,570 |
| Research Assistant Professor | Northwestern University | 3 | $120,000 |
| Research Scientist | Rush University Medical Center | 3 | $61,817 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 51 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $64,903.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Northwestern University | 21 | $64,903 |
| Manufacturing | ABBOTT LABORATORIES | 15 | $100,000 |
| Healthcare | Rush University Medical Center | 7 | $103,000 |
| Professional services | CZ Biohub Chicago LLC | 5 | $104,000 |
| Technology and software | AI Nexus Inc | 2 | $86,944 |
| Retail and wholesale | Hill-Rom Manufacturing, Inc. | 1 | $110,000 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Illinois over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.2 / 5
Biology
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Conduct research, along with life scientists, chemists, and medical scientists, on the engineering aspects of the biological systems of humans and animals.
- 02
Adapt or design computer hardware or software for medical science uses.
- 03
Evaluate the safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of biomedical equipment.
- 04
Develop models or computer simulations of human biobehavioral systems to obtain data for measuring or controlling life processes.
- 05
Research new materials to be used for products, such as implanted artificial organs.
- 06
Write documents describing protocols, policies, standards for use, maintenance, and repair of medical equipment.
- 07
Conduct training or in-services to educate clinicians and other personnel on proper use of equipment.
- 08
Analyze new medical procedures to forecast likely outcomes.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for bioengineers and biomedical engineers in major Illinois metropolitan areas.
- Chicago$98,670
Compare Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Illinois with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois is $89,520.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers?
- The Illinois median is -18.3% versus the BLS national figure of $109,594.
- What is the salary range for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $48,370 and the 90th-percentile at $138,110, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.