Biomedical Engineer.
Chicago.
$98,000
median salary, 7% above the national average
$77,000 to $131,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
The median Biomedical Engineer salary in Chicago is $98,000, 7% above the national average. Entry level starts near $77,000. Experienced professionals push past $131,000. Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a rapidly expanding tech sector. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
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How Chicago compares
Chicago, IL
$98,000
Cost of living: 7% above average
National Average
$92,000
Chicago is $6,000 above
What you should know
Before you negotiate a Biomedical Engineer offer in Chicago, understand the terrain. Chicago's economy is anchored by finance, manufacturing, and a rapidly expanding tech sector. The city has become a major hub for fintech, enterprise SaaS, and e-commerce. With lower living costs than coastal cities and a deep talent pool from top universities, Chicago offers strong salary to cost of living ratios for professionals across industries. Subspecialty drives significant pay variation, with implantable device and tissue engineering roles paying premiums over rehabilitation equipment design. Industry setting matters, as medical device companies pay 15 to 25% more than hospitals or research institutions. Advanced degrees and FDA regulatory experience boost earning potential.
Entry-level biomedical engineers start at $72,000 to $85,000. Senior engineers with specialization earn $95,000 to $122,000 after five to seven years. Engineering managers and directors at device companies reach $130,000 to $175,000 with strong bonus potential. In Chicago, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Medical device companies offer bonuses of 8 to 15% and equity grants. Many roles include patent bonuses of $1,000 to $5,000 per filing. Benefits typically include generous continuing education allowances and conference travel budgets. And on the tax side: illinois has a flat 4.95% state income tax. Chicago does not levy a separate city income tax, making the overall burden moderate compared to coastal metros. When someone quotes you $98,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the Bay Area or NYC salary band for your role, then negotiate a modest discount. Chicago employers routinely offer 85 to 90% of coastal pay. The range for Biomedical Engineers in Chicago runs from $77,000 to $131,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Chicago
Negotiating in Chicago
Reference the Bay Area or NYC salary band for your role, then negotiate a modest discount. Chicago employers routinely offer 85 to 90% of coastal pay.