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 $47,300 and $107,340, with a median of $83,730.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 47 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 | 15 | $64,356 |
| Level II — qualified | 10 | $88,171 |
| Level III — experienced | 7 | $103,000 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 4 | $110,000 |
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 | 7 | $61,428 |
| The University of Chicago | Postdoctoral Scholar | 7 | $64,356 |
| Rush University Medical Center | Research Scientist | 3 | $61,817 |
| University of Illinois Chicago | Research Assistant Professor | 3 | $127,296 |
| University of Illinois | Postdoctoral Research Associate | 3 | $57,570 |
| CZ Biohub Chicago LLC | Postdoctoral Fellow | 3 | $104,000 |
| ABBOTT LABORATORIES | Senior Global Service Professional | 2 | $93,171 |
| Archer Daniels Midland Company | Process Engineer | 1 | $120,000 |
| Flextronics International USA, Inc. | Quality Engineer (Medical Device Manufacturing) | 1 | $100,000 |
| Sensient Flavors LLC | Senior Innovation Scientist | 1 | $117,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Postdoctoral Scholar at Northwestern University$61,428EvanstonDecided Dec 29, 2025I-200-25353-497087
- Research Scientist at Rush University Medical Center$60,006ChicagoDecided Dec 26, 2025I-200-25352-493787
- Research Assistant Professor at University of Illinois Chicago$144,497ChicagoDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25346-479176
- Process Engineer at Archer Daniels Midland Company$120,000DecaturDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-475816
- Postdoctoral Research Associate at University of Illinois$57,570UrbanaDecided Dec 18, 2025I-200-25345-475503
- Quality Engineer (Medical Device Manufacturing) at Flextronics International USA, Inc.$100,000Buffalo GroveDecided Dec 9, 2025I-200-25336-448855
- Postdoctoral Scholar at Northwestern University$61,008EvanstonDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25329-434873
- Postdoctoral Scholar at The University of Chicago$66,252ChicagoDecided Dec 2, 2025I-200-25328-432667
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.
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 18 certified offers. The most common variant is Postdoctoral Scholar at a median of $61,714.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postdoctoral Scholar | The University of Chicago | 12 | $61,714 |
| Research Scientist | Rush University Medical Center | 3 | $61,817 |
| Research Assistant Professor | Northwestern University | 3 | $120,000 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois, by industry
Median offered wage across 45 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Education leads with a median of $64,678.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Northwestern University | 20 | $64,678 |
| Manufacturing | ABBOTT LABORATORIES | 13 | $95,898 |
| Healthcare | Rush University Medical Center | 6 | $86,142 |
| Professional services | CZ Biohub Chicago LLC | 4 | $102,000 |
| Technology and software | AI Nexus Inc | 1 | $74,547 |
| 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 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 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$96,320
Compare Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers pay across nearby states
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 $83,730.
- How does Illinois compare to the national median for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers?
- The Illinois median is -23.6% versus the BLS national figure of $109,622.
- What is the salary range for Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers in Illinois?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,300 and the 90th-percentile at $132,860, 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.