Science & Research Columbia, MD Pop. 104,681

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia, Maryland

The median biomedical engineer salary in Columbia, MD is $118,861 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median and 7.3% above the Maryland state average.

City Median
$118,861
vs State Avg
+$8,058
vs National
+$18,131
Cost of Living
118%

Biomedical Engineer Pay in Columbia: What to Expect (2026)

Columbia offers a median biomedical engineer salary of $118,861, which is $8,058 above the Maryland state average of $110,803. Compared to the national median of $100,730, Columbia pays above average for this role.

However, Columbia's cost of living index is 118%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $118,861 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $100,730. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Columbia should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for biomedical engineers in Columbia spans from $73,160 at the 10th percentile to $184,080 at the 90th percentile — a $110,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $76,700, while senior biomedical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $174,640. With a population of 104,681, Columbia is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia by Experience

In Columbia, an entry-level biomedical engineer earns around $76,700, while experienced professionals earn up to $174,640 per year. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$76,700
+$11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,360
+$18,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$174,640
+$26,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Columbia, MD

Percentile Columbia
10th Percentile $73,160
25th Percentile $93,220
Median (50th) $118,861
75th Percentile $148,680
90th Percentile $184,080

Biomedical Engineer Salary in Other Maryland Cities

Silver Spring, MD
$122,891
Pop. 81,015
Germantown, MD
$115,839
Pop. 90,676
Baltimore, MD
$108,788
Pop. 585,708
Waldorf, MD
$105,767
Pop. 77,000

How to Become a Biomedical Engineer in Columbia

Education

Most biomedical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Columbia and the surrounding Maryland area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Medical DevicesCAD/CAMFDA RegulationsBiomechanicsMATLABClinical Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, biomedical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Columbia may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Biomedical Engineer Jobs in Columbia

Browse open biomedical engineer positions in Columbia, MD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Biomedical Engineer Salary in Columbia

How much does a Biomedical Engineer make in Columbia, MD? ▼
The median biomedical engineer salary in Columbia, Maryland is $118,861 per year, which is 18.0% above the national median of $100,730. Salaries range from $73,160 (10th percentile) to $184,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a Biomedical Engineer make per hour in Columbia? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,861, a biomedical engineer in Columbia earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Columbia compare to the Maryland state average for biomedical engineer pay? ▼
Columbia's median biomedical engineer salary of $118,861 is 7.3% above the Maryland state average of $110,803. The local cost of living index is 118% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Columbia, MD? ▼
Columbia has a cost of living index of 118% compared to the national average. This means a biomedical engineer salary of $118,861 in Columbia has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a biomedical engineer in Columbia? ▼
Most biomedical engineer positions in Columbia require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Medical Devices, CAD/CAM, FDA Regulations, Biomechanics. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.