Salary Levels by Experience
| Experience Level | Salary Range | Est. Annual Net |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $50,000–$62,000 | ~$44,262 |
| Biomedical Engineer II | $61,000–$82,000 | ~$55,147 |
| Senior BME | $80,000–$102,000 | ~$67,900 |
| Lead / Principal | $100,000–$138,000 | ~$86,199 |
Tax Breakdown at $78,000 (Bi-Weekly)
| Component | Per Paycheck | Annual | % of Gross |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Pay | $3,000.00 | $78,000 | 100% |
| Federal Income Tax | −$337.46 | −$8,774 | 11.2% |
| IL State Income Tax | −$148.50 | −$3,861 | 5.0% |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | −$229.50 | −$5,967 | 7.6% |
| Net Take-Home | $2,285 | ~$59,398 | 76.2% |
What Drives Biomedical Engineer Pay in Chicago
Biomedical engineers in New York City develop medical devices, design hospital equipment systems, and work at the intersection of engineering and medicine for a city that hosts one of the largest healthcare sectors in the world, including world-renowned academic medical centers and a growing life sciences industry. NYC's concentration of hospitals, medical research institutions, and health tech startups makes it a compelling market for biomedical engineering talent.
NYC is home to major academic medical centers — including NYU Langone, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian, and Memorial Sloan Kettering — all of which employ biomedical engineers for equipment management, research support, and clinical innovation. The city's growing life sciences cluster in Alexandria Center for Life Science and related buildings in East Midtown and the Brooklyn Navy Yard has expanded opportunities in medical device development and biotech. NYC also has a vibrant health tech startup ecosystem.
- Clinical engineering vs. R&D vs. health tech
- Academic medical center vs. startup vs. device company
- Regulatory expertise: FDA 510(k), PMA, or ISO 13485
- Imaging, surgical robotics, or wearable device specialization
Top Chicago Employers
Major employers hiring biomedical engineers in Chicago include: Boeing Chicago, Citadel, Northwestern Medicine, CME Group, United Airlines.
Tax note: Biomedical engineers earning $98,000 in NYC take home approximately $64,000–$68,000 after taxes — those working for hospital systems receive benefits packages including health insurance, retirement plans, and tuition assistance that add meaningful value to the total compensation package.
Frequently Asked Questions
A biomedical engineer earning $78,000 in Chicago takes home approximately $59,398 per year, or $2,285 per bi-weekly paycheck, after all taxes. The effective tax rate is 23.8%.
Chicago biomedical engineer salaries range from $50,000–$62,000 at entry level to $100,000–$138,000 for senior professionals. The median mid-career salary is approximately $78,000.
Yes — Chicago's biomedical engineering market has expanded significantly due to the city's investments in its life sciences industry cluster and the rapid growth of health technology companies. The city's academic medical centers remain major employers, and the Alexandria Center for Life Science and related developments have attracted medical device companies to establish or expand Chicago research operations. Health tech startups seeking engineers who understand both clinical workflows and device development are particularly active in hiring.
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