Biomedical engineering salary: what to expect when comparing job offers

What does 'biomedical engineering salary' really mean?

When you search for a biomedical engineering salary in Australia, you are likely looking at a job advertisement or trying to compare an offer. The term covers a range of roles: designing implants, maintaining hospital equipment, or working in research. Because the occupation is small – only about 1,300 people according to Jobs and Skills Australia – published pay figures are scarce. That is where the Salary Index helps.

The Salary Index sets the national line at 100, which equals full-time adult ordinary-time earnings of $2,083.70 per week, or $108,352 a year (ABS Average Weekly Earnings, May 2026). Any salary can be compared to that line. For example, the national minimum wage sits at index 48.2, while mining workers average index 154.7. Biomedical engineering sits somewhere in between, but exactly where depends on the sector and state.

What the data shows

Jobs and Skills Australia reports that biomedical engineers work mostly full-time (88%), average 41 hours a week, and have a median age of 37. The female share is only 21% female, which is low compared to the all-occupations average of 49%. The industries they work in include Health Care and Social Assistance, Wholesale Trade, and Manufacturing. But when it comes to median weekly earnings for the specific occupation, the figure is marked N/A because the sample is too small.

A better guide is the broader group Other Engineering Professionals (ANZSCO 2339), which includes biomedical engineers. For that group, the median full-time weekly earnings are $2,649, giving an index of about 127. That is 27% above the national line. The median hourly earnings are $70, compared to $47 for all occupations.

But be careful: that median includes aeronautical, agricultural, environmental engineers, and naval architects. Biomedical engineers may earn differently. The only concrete published pay rates come from a specific enterprise agreement.

A real-world example: Victorian public sector

The Biomedical Engineers (Victorian Public Sector) Enterprise Agreement 2024-2028 sets out weekly rates for five classification classes. For example:

• Class 1, Year 1 (entry-level): $1,283.66 per week (index 61.6) from August 2024, rising to $1,402.69 by August 2027.
• Class 5, Year 3 (senior): $2,730.52 per week (index 131) in 2024, rising to $2,983.71 (index 143) in 2027.

These rates are for public hospitals in Victoria. They include annual 3% increases and professional development allowances. If you see a job ad for a biomedical engineer in a Victorian public hospital, you can compare the offered salary to these published rates. For instance, an offer of $80,000 a year would be index 74 – below the national line and below the public sector entry rate. An offer of $130,000 would be index 120, close to the senior public sector rate.

How to use the index when reading job ads

When you see a biomedical engineering salary in a job ad, first check whether it is full-time, part-time, or casual. The index uses full-time ordinary-time earnings. Then convert the annual figure to a weekly amount (divide by 52) and compare to the national line of $2,083.70. Multiply by 100 to get the index.

Consider these factors:

• Location: State indices vary. Western Australia has an index of 106.9, while Tasmania is 88.6. A salary of $110,000 in WA (index 101.5) is closer to the national line than the same salary in Tasmania (index 114.6 relative to the state average). Use the states page to adjust.
• Industry: Health care and social assistance has an index of 97.8, while professional, scientific and technical services is 114.7. If the job is in a private medical device company, the industry index suggests higher pay.
• Super: From 1 July 2026, the super guarantee is 12% on top of the gross salary. Add that to your comparison. For example, a $120,000 salary plus super gives total remuneration of $134,400, index 124.
• Awards: Most biomedical engineers are not covered by a modern award, but the national minimum wage is $26.44 per hour (index 48.2). Any professional role should be well above that.

Putting it together

Let’s say you have two offers:

1. Public hospital in Victoria: $95,000 per year, plus 12% super. Gross weekly $1,826.92, index 87.7. That is below the national line and below the public sector Class 1 Year 1 rate (which is $1,283.66 in 2024, but that is for a lower classification). This offer might be for a junior or part-time role.
2. Private company in NSW: $130,000 per year, plus super. Weekly $2,500, index 120. That is above the national line and close to the broader engineering professional median. NSW index is 101.2, so this salary is strong relative to the state.

The index helps you see that offer 2 is 20% above the national average, while offer 1 is 12% below. But also consider the state cost of living and the specific duties.

Where to find more

For more on how the index works, see how the index works. To compare by industry, visit industries. For general pay guides, check pay guides. And if you want to see how your salary stacks up, use the Salary Index calculator.

Remember: the index is a benchmark, not a promise. Actual pay depends on experience, negotiation, and market conditions. But by using the national line and the available data, you can make an informed decision when comparing offers.

Caveats to keep in mind

• The median for Other Engineering Professionals is a proxy, not a direct figure for biomedical engineers.
• The Victorian public sector agreement covers only one state and sector.
• The index uses gross ordinary-time earnings, not total remuneration including super or bonuses.
• Tax estimates: for a resident earning $130,000 in 2026-27, tax (including Medicare) is about $30,467, leaving about $99,533 take-home. That is a rough guide only.

Always ask the employer for the full remuneration package and check if the role is covered by an enterprise agreement or award. The more you know, the better your comparison.