EngineeringBLS OES

Biomedical Engineer Salary in St. Louis

2026 · Official labour data · 8 comparison cities

$83,770/yr

Last updated: September 2026 · Source: BLS OEWS · modeled estimate, not a published figure for this area

Typical range: $68,434 $102,542

Very High Confidence · 97/100

How much does a Biomedical Engineer make in St. Louis, MO?

A Biomedical Engineer in St. Louis earns a median of $83,770/year (about $40/hour). Most earn between $68,434 (25th percentile) and $102,542 (75th percentile); top earners (90th percentile) make $123,060 or more — 9% below the US average. Figures are from BLS employer payroll data, not self-reports.

$57,024
Entry (P10)
$83,770
Median (P50)
$102,542
Top 25% (P75)
$123,060
Top 10% (P90)

Understanding these Biomedical Engineer salary numbers

We report percentiles, not a single average, because pay isn't evenly spread — a handful of very high earners would drag an average upward and mislead you. Here's exactly what each figure means.

Median (P50) — $83,770

Half of Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis earn more than this and half earn less. It's the most honest "typical" salary — better than an average, which gets skewed by a few top earners.

25th percentile (P25) — $68,434

The lower end of the typical range: 75% of Biomedical Engineers earn more than this. It's common for early-career roles or lower-cost employers. Earning below it is grounds to negotiate.

75th percentile (P75) — $102,542

Your negotiation target: only 25% of Biomedical Engineers earn above it. Reaching P75 usually means seniority, in-demand specialisations, or simply negotiating from data. See how to negotiate.

90th percentile (P90) — $123,060

Top earners: only 10% of Biomedical Engineers make this or more — typically senior, highly specialised, or at the best-paying employers.

Gross vs after-tax pay

These figures are gross (before tax). What actually reaches your account depends on your country, state, and deductions. Estimate your net with the take-home calculator.

National vs St. Louis pay

City figures apply the local market premium to BLS data, so St. Louis differs from the US average by -9%. A higher number isn't always better once cost of living is counted.

Hourly rate — $40/hr

The hourly figure is the annual median divided by 2,080 (40 hours × 52 weeks). If you regularly work more than 40 hours, your real hourly rate is lower than this. Convert any salary with the salary calculator.

Why this differs from Glassdoor or Payscale

Those sites publish what people say they earn (self-reports), which skew high because higher earners report more often. Our figures come from mandatory employer payroll records (BLS OEWS), so they reflect the whole market — not just a vocal subset.

How current and reliable is this number?

This page carries a confidence score of 97/100, based on the data source and coverage. US figures track the latest BLS release and refresh automatically; international figures use OECD/ILO data. See the changelog for live data freshness.

What counts as a "good" Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis?

Around the median ($83,770) is solid and $102,542+ is strong — but "good" really depends on local costs. Check what the number is actually worth with the good-salary breakdown for St. Louis.

Still curious how we get these numbers? Every figure is traceable to a primary source — see the full methodology and data sources.

Cite or reuse this data

Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO: median $83,770 (P75 $102,542), per BLS OEWS via Official Salary, 2026.

Free JSON: /api/salary?job=biomedical-engineer&city=st-louis — no key. API & widgets →

Key insights for Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis

✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology
  • Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis earn about 9% less than the national median for the role ($84K vs $92K).
  • Cost of living in St. Louis runs about 11% below the US average, so $84K is worth roughly $94K at national prices.
  • After a simplified take-home estimate, $84K nets about $65K/yr — roughly $35K/yr left after typical single-person living costs here.
  • Pay climbs with seniority: a senior/staff Biomedical Engineer reaches about $116K — a +38% step from mid-level.
Official Salary Verdict™
Typical Range

Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis typically earn $68K–$103K a year.

Market Median

The market median is $84K — half earn above, half earn below.

Top Earners

Top earners (top 10%) make $123K or more.

Above Average

Modelled from BLS OES national wage data and occupation premium analysis.

Official government labour statistics (BLS OEWS)Updated monthly via BLS APIHuman-reviewed methodologyConfidence Score: 97/100Editorial policy →

Biomedical Engineer Salary Analysis — St. Louis

Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis earn a median salary of $84K, which is 9% below the national median of $92K. A more competitive regional labour market keeps wages below the national baseline.

Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) and employer payroll records. Figures represent the median (P50) across all experience levels in St. Louis.

Cost of Living Adjustment

St. Louis's cost of living is 11% below the US average. Your $84K salary has the equivalent purchasing power of approximately $94K in a city with average US living costs.

$84K
Nominal salary
-11%
CoL vs US avg
$94K
Real value

Salary Distribution — St. Louis

5-band distribution from employer payroll records

P10Entry Level
$57,024

New graduates, 0–1 yr exp

P2525th Percentile
$68,434

1–3 years experience

P50Median
$83,770

3–7 years, typical professional

P7575th Percentile
$102,542

Senior / high-performer — target

P90Top 10%
$123,060

Staff / principal / lead

Biomedical Engineer salary chart for St. Louis, MO, 2026: median $84K, top 25% earn $103K+, from BLS employer payroll data
Biomedical Engineer pay in St. Louis — free to share with attributionDownload chart
-9%
vs US avg
+6%
demand growth
Low
AI risk
Data Confidence
97/100A+
BLS.OEWS.2026.v2Updated Sep 2, 2026

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Official Salary Fair Pay Score™

Is $84K a good salary for Biomedical Engineer in St. Louis?

Benchmarked against the official BLS wage distribution for Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis

50
$84K sits exactly at the market median

Half of Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis earn more, half earn less. Enter your own salary in the checker above to see your exact percentile against this distribution.

Bottom 10%: $57K·Median: $84K·Top 10%: $123K
Underpaid← MedianTop earner
Adjusted · 89% confidenceSource reliability: 40/40 (BLS)

Why This Salary?

How we arrived at $84K for Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis

-9%
MO market level
MO pays 9% below the global baseline — lower cost of living often offsets this.
-11%
St. Louis metro premium
This city has a lower cost of living, reflected in typical salary ranges.

Source: BLS OES. All figures reflect 2026 market conditions.

Biomedical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in St. Louis

How compensation grows from entry-level through staff / lead

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyHourly
Entry00 yrs$58,639$4,887$28
Junior22 yrs$71,205$5,934$34
Mid-LevelTypical44 yrs$79,582$6,632$38
Senior66 yrs$90,137$7,511$43
Staff1010 yrs$115,603$9,634$56
Principal1414 yrs$135,707$11,309$65
Distinguished1818 yrs$140,734$11,728$68

Based on BLS OEWS percentile distribution. Actual salary depends on employer, skills, and negotiation.

Skills That Earn More — Biomedical Engineer

Estimated premium above the St. Louis median based on market demand

Medical Devices+4% ≈ +$3K/yr
FDA Regulations+4% ≈ +$3K/yr
CAD+4% ≈ +$3K/yr
Biomechanics+4% ≈ +$3K/yr
MATLAB+4% ≈ +$3K/yr

Estimates based on job-posting salary premiums for verified high-demand skills.

Biomedical Engineer Intelligence Report

Career metrics and full compensation breakdown — from BLS demand data

Career Opportunity Score

Composite: demand growth × 1.4 + (100 − AI risk) × 0.4

D36/100
High RiskModerateExceptional
Demand Growth+6%/yr
AI Displacement Risk32% — Low
Risk-Adj. Salary Growth+1.5%/yr
Below Average: Moderate risk from automation. Consider adjacent skills to broaden earning power.
$86K
In 2 yrs
$90K
In 5 yrs
$97K
In 10 yrs

Total Compensation — Biomedical Engineer

Beyond base salary: bonus, equity, and benefits

Total Comp Range
$111K$120K
per year
Base (72%)Bonus (7%)Equity (4%)Benefits (16%)
Base Salary
Median market rate
$83,770
Annual Bonus
Typical: 5–15% of base
$8,378
Equity (annualised)
~6% of base — RSUs/options
$5,026
Benefits Value
~22% — healthcare, 401k, PTO
$18,429
Total Comp (mid)
$115,603

Bonus, equity, and benefits are modelled estimates from category norms (not scraped from any single employer); base is BLS. Actual total comp varies by employer, level, and negotiation.

Typical Benefits for Biomedical Engineers

— show

Often adds 20–35% to your effective pay

Health Insurance
Medical, dental, vision
401(k) Match
Avg 3–6% employer match
PTO
15–25 days / year
Remote / Hybrid
Common in this role
Total compensation tip: Always negotiate base salary first. Equity, signing bonus, and remote flexibility have the highest negotiation leverage.

Compare Biomedical Engineer Salaries by City

How St. Louis, MO stacks up against other major markets

CityMedianP75vs US avg
St. Louis, MO (current)$83,770$102,542+-9%
New York, NY$110,830$155,460++20%
San Francisco, CA$137,256$168,014++49%
Seattle, WA$130,677$159,961++42%
Austin, TX$97,600$128,030++6%
Boston, MA$128,550$157,020++40%
Chicago, IL$98,670$118,040++7%
Los Angeles, CA$128,240$145,000++39%
Denver, CO$101,060$134,510++10%

Official Salary Career GPS™

What should I do next as a Biomedical Engineer?

O*NET · US Dept of Labor

Higher-paying roles in the same field

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO?

The estimated median Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO is $84K per year (2026). This is a modeled estimate derived from national wage data adjusted for local cost levels, not a published government figure for this area.

What is a good Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO?

The 75th percentile ($103K/yr) is the professional benchmark — what the top quarter already earns. It's a documented, negotiable target backed by BLS payroll data. Anything above the median ($84K) is above-average for this role in St. Louis, MO.

How much does a Biomedical Engineer earn per hour in St. Louis, MO?

Based on the median annual salary of $84K, a Biomedical Engineer in St. Louis, MO earns approximately $40/hr (2,080-hour work year). The P75 rate is ~$49/hr.

Is St. Louis, MO a good market for Biomedical Engineers?

St. Louis, MO pays 9% below the US national average for this role. BLS projects 6% employment growth for Biomedical Engineers over 2022–2032, and AI automation risk is rated low for this occupation.

How do I negotiate a higher Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO?

Cite the BLS P75 figure ($103K) — it is verifiable public data from government payroll records. Request the full compensation package: base + equity/bonus + benefits. Timing matters: negotiate at the offer stage, not after acceptance. Counter with a specific number, not a range.

What is the entry-level Biomedical Engineer salary in St. Louis, MO?

Entry-level Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis, MO (10th–25th percentile) earn roughly $57K–$68K per year, rising toward the $84K median with experience and in-demand skills.

What does a senior Biomedical Engineer earn in St. Louis, MO?

Senior Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis, MO — the top quartile up to the 90th percentile — earn about $103K–$123K per year, with the top 10% making $123K+.

How Is This Salary Calculated?

Every number is derived from a transparent, reproducible methodology — no estimates, no black boxes.

Where does the salary data come from?

US metro figures are published estimates from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, which covers roughly 1.1 million employer establishments. Where BLS does not publish a figure for an occupation and area, this site shows a modeled estimate and labels it as one.

How is the St. Louis figure calculated?

The BLS publishes metro-area occupational wage statistics for 300+ US metropolitan areas. For St. Louis, Official Salary uses the BLS metro premium ratio (metro median ÷ national median) and applies it to the national baseline.

What do P10, P25, P50, P75, and P90 mean?

These are salary percentiles from employer payroll records. P50 (median) means 50% of workers earn less. P75 means 75% earn less — this is the recommended negotiation anchor. P10 and P90 represent the bottom 10% and top 10% respectively.

How is take-home pay estimated?

Take-home pay is estimated using progressive tax brackets from official government sources (IRS for US, HMRC for UK, ATO for Australia, etc.). Social contributions (National Insurance, FICA, etc.) are added. These are estimates — actual take-home depends on deductions, filing status, and location.

How often is data updated?

US BLS salary data refreshes every 24 hours via the BLS public API. OECD international wages refresh monthly. ECB currency rates refresh every 4 hours.

Full formulas and source citations on the methodology page.

What a Biomedical Engineer salary really means in St. Louis

Take-home pay, rent affordability, and remote benchmarking — on the $83,770 median.

Estimated take-home

$67,092/yr

$5,591/month net

Gross median
$83,770
Income tax
$10,270
Social / FICA
$6,408
Effective rate
20%

Federal income tax only (FICA included). State income tax varies. Single-filer estimate — not tax advice.

Rent affordability

19%

of take-home on a typical 1-bed (~$1,046/mo)

The 30% rule says housing should stay under 30% of take-home. Here it's comfortably within that line. After all living costs (~$2,490/mo), roughly $3,101/mo is left to save or invest.

Cost-of-living estimate for St. Louis; rent ≈ 42% of budget.

Remote vs onsite

$83,770$92,000

typical fully-remote benchmark range

Onsite Biomedical Engineers in St. Louis earn the local median of $83,770. Fully-remote roles are usually benchmarked between the US median ($92,000) and the local rate — employers increasingly set remote pay by national or regional bands, not your city.

Compare all Biomedical Engineer markets →
✓ Reviewed by the Official Salary Data TeamUpdated September 2026Source: BLS OES 2026Confidence: Very HighMethodology

How to reach the top 25% as a Biomedical Engineer in St. Louis

The gap between a typical Biomedical Engineer and the top quartile in St. Louis is $18,772/year — about $1,564/month more than the median. Reaching the 75th percentile ($102,542) usually comes down to seniority, in-demand specialisations, and negotiating from real data instead of hoping for a raise.

Salary trend data not available for this occupation.

Education Premium — Biomedical Engineer

How degree level affects salary · ACS Census data

High School / GED
-30%
~$59K
Associate's Degree
-14%
~$72K
Bachelor's DegreeBASELINE
~$84K
Master's Degree
+20%
~$101K
Doctoral (PhD)
+28%
~$107K
Professional (MBA/JD/MD)
+18%
~$99K

Source: US Census Bureau ACS PUMS · BLS OES wage data.

Negotiation Deep-Dive

Get your data-backed negotiation opening ask and walking-away floor.

📊Your exact market percentile based on BLS distribution
🎯P75 target + 10% stretch as your opening ask price
🚪Walking-away floor so you know when to move on
St. Louis benchmarks
$84K
Market median
$103K
P75 target
$123K
Top 10%

Negotiation Calculator

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Biomedical Engineer in St. Louis — Distribution
P10
$57K
P25
$68K
P50
$84K
P75
$103K
P90
$123K
Enter your salary above to see your negotiation position

Data Source & Attribution

This page’s figures are a modeled estimate: a national occupation wage adjusted for local cost levels. BLS does not publish a figure for this occupation and area, so these numbers are not a government measurement and should not be cited as one. International figures draw on OECD Average Wages, Eurostat SES, and ILO ILOSTAT.

BLS.OEWS.2026.v2

Sep 2, 2026

Full methodology →
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